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Sunday 28 August 2011

Hampshire Crews Remain At Battery Recycling Plant Fire

Firefighters remain at a battery recycling plant in Hampshire following a large blaze, with plumes of smoke that could be seen for miles around.



The fire began at the industrial site beside Lasham Airfield on Friday.

A series of explosions could be heard while roads in the village of Lasham were closed and 12 homes evacuated.

At its height, 70 firefighters tackled the flames and 20 remained at the site on Sunday. The fire is not being treated as suspicious.

About 300 tonnes of alkaline zinc chloride batteries and metal oxides were involved and a safety cordon was put in place due to concerns about gas cylinders.
Canisters 'into air'

Thick black smoke could be seen from miles around but there were no reports of injuries.

Glider pilots who had been flying from the airfield said they had seen canisters thrown into the air by the explosions.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service said the fire had initially been "quite small" and staff at the site had tried to tackle it themselves but it quickly spread.

A spokesman added: "There is nothing to indicate it was caused by anything suspicious although further investigations will continue."

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