M275 re-opens at Portsmouth after weekend closures caused by fire

  • ITV News Meridian's Rachel Hepworth reports on the disruption and damage caused

A major motorway in Hampshire was closed for a second day due to a fire at a waste processing unit.

The M275 in Portsmouth was shut by police as thick black smoke continued to drift across the motorway.

The blaze broke out at around 6.30am on Saturday (6 July) at TJ Waste & Recycling in Tipner.

The road reopened on Sunday (7 July) at around 2.30pm.

Hampshire Constabulary took the decision to close the motorway due to the hazardous smoke which caused poor visibility for drivers, making the road unsafe to use.

Hampshire Search and Rescue posted thermal images of the fire from its heat-seeking drone, which was deployed to help firefighters tackle hot spots.

A spokesperson for TJ Waste & Recycling said: "We are deeply appreciative of the work done by crews from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue and their control room.

"We also express our thanks to the police and city council for arranging road diversions due to the closure of the M275 for safety reasons due to the smoke.

"We also extend our gratitude to the public for their understanding and patience over the weekend during this unprecedented incident.

"TJ staff are on site, assisting firefighters in dampening the fire within the building with the use of our plant and equipment.

Plumes of smoke above the M275 motorway near Portsmouth. Credit: Paul Mclennan.

"As yet, the cause of the fire is not known. However, there is an increasing trend of lithium batteries being discarded incorrectly by users.

"The batteries, which charge electrical devices such as mobile phones, vapes and e-bikes, can be explosive and, due to ‘thermal runaway’, cannot be extinguished easily because the heat is so ferocious.

"It is important that the Tipner site is operational as soon as possible because the materials recovering facility, where a large amount of commercial and domestic waste is sorted and recycled, is a vital part of the regional resource and waste management supply chain."

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