UPDATE: Road to be closed during rush hour after major Hailsham blaze

A Hailsham road is to be closed during rush hour as firefighters continue to battle a major blaze engulfing a scrapyard.
Fire at Ripley's in Hailsham. Photo by Dan Jessup.Fire at Ripley's in Hailsham. Photo by Dan Jessup.
Fire at Ripley's in Hailsham. Photo by Dan Jessup.

Firefighters from across Sussex and Surrey rushed to the fire which broke out in Ripley’s in Diplocks industrial estate at around 8.20pm last night (Wednesday).

At its height eight fire engines and 55 firefighters were on scene along with two aerial ladder platforms, water carriers, the command support team and high volume pump, said East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service (ESFRS).

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East Sussex Highways has said the Diplocks Way road closure has been removed for the next hour but it will be closed again between 3pm-8pm during rush hour today (Thursday) to help prevent heavy traffic driving over the main fire hose.

A spokesperson for ESFRS said today, “We are still in attendance at Diplocks Industrial Estate, Hailsham and are making continual steady progress in dealing with the fire and making the scene safe.”

Firefighters from Brighton, Hastings, Herstmonceux, Hailsham, Heathfield and Eastbourne have been on scene today.

The spokesperson added, “It is expected that firefighters will be in attendance throughout the day and night.”

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As there is still a large amount of smoke in the area, ESFRS is advising residents and business in the surrounding area to keep windows and doors closed.

People are also being urged not to come to the area unless they absolutely have to.