Large fire destroys recycling centre near Southwaite

A large fire has destroyed a recycling centre in north Cumbria.

More than 40 firefighters have been tackling the blaze, near Southwaite, since the early hours of this morning (Wednesday).

A spokesperson from Cumbria Fire and Rescue service said: "In attendance, crews discovered that a recycling plant was well alight, with a large steel framed building, and various piles of recyclables on fire."

Eight appliances spent most of the day at the scene "to extinguish flare ups, while the site owners pull apart the mounds of material to extinguish."

Carlisle West, along with Carlisle East, Lazonby, Penrith, Brampton, Wigton, Appleby and Welfare Support Cockermouth helped deal with the fire.

A spokesman confirmed that there were no injuries or damage to residential properties, but the commercial building was mostly destroyed.