Crews at Shropshire scrapyard blaze

More than 50 firefighters spent two hours tackling a fire at a Shropshire scrapyard, with smoke visible for miles around.

The blaze broke out at Pennills scrapyard at Hinstock, near Market Drayton, at about 1pm on Saturday. The fire is believed to have been accidental and broke out while workers were on the site. Scrap metal, tyres and two sheds caught fire. Shropshire Fire and Rescue is investigating.

Firefighters had to pump water from a large pond at a farm about a mile from the site to help douse the flames.

The fire was under control by 3.15pm but two crews stayed until 8.25pm to ensure it was fully out.

The site contains large numbers of scrap cars, metal parts and tyres. An Environment Agency officer visited the site once the fire was under control.

Crews from Newport, Market Drayton, Hodnet, Prees, Wellington, Shrewsbury, Whitchurch and Bridgnorth attended along with Staffordshire crews from Ashley and Gnosall.

Station manager Neil Grove, incident commander for Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "We have had about 50 firefighters dealing with the incident.

"There were large quantities of smoke which could be seen from a few miles away – we could see it on the way to the site. Initially there was lots of smoke and flames and that was our initial concern.

"There were staff on site when the fire broke out but no-one was injured. The cause of the fire will be looked at by a fire investigation officer."

Inspector Mark Hatton of West Mercia Police said: "The cause of the fire is not known but there is no suggestion it was started deliberately and it is not being treated as suspicious."

The owners of the scrapyard were unavailable for comment.

Meanwhile, a fallen tree blocked part of the A529 at the Four Alls Inn at Woodseaves, near Market Drayton, shortly after 1pm on Saturday. It blocked the north-bound lane of the road and was cleared by a farmer within an hour.

By Peter Kitchen