Firefighters are advising recycling plants on how to store rubbish to prevent fires. It comes just two weeks after the biggest fire the West Midlands has ever seen. A Chinese lantern landed on thousands of tonnes of rubbish at a centre in Smethwick.
The retailer Poundland has confirmed it will stop selling Chinese lanterns. The decision comes after it was revealed a Chinese lantern started a major fire at a recycling plant in Smethwick in Birmingham earlier this week.
The company has said it has also recalled all its stock of Chinese lanterns from its stores.
Northamptonshire's Arson Task Force is warning local residents about floating lanterns following the fire at a Smethwick recycling plant.
Around 50,000 tonnes of plastic recycling material and a factory is on fire in Smethwick.