The owner of a scrapyard in Hitchin where a fire broke out on Saturday has revealed the cause of the blaze.

A fire started at Nationwide Metal Recycling Ltd in Cadwell Lane just after 4pm on Saturday and six fire engines, along with an aerial ladder platform and a water bowser, were sent to tackle the blaze. Nobody was injured.

It is the third fire at the scrapyard in the last eight months. Previous fires broke out in December last year and February this year, with the latter caused by lithium batteries.

Smoke could be seen billowing from the site.Smoke could be seen billowing from the site. (Image: Chris Howell)

A spokesperson for Nationwide Metal Recycling Ltd (NMR) said: "We would like to clarify that the fire on Saturday afternoon was not the same as previous fires.

"The material that caught fire previously was small domestic appliances and contained lithium iron batteries. This material is no longer stored at Hitchin, and therefore not the reason for the latest incident."

The spokesperson said that the material that caught fire on Saturday was from Hertfordshire County Council's Household Waste Recycling Centres.

This material, classified as light iron, was being bulked up prior to being sent for further processing off site.

NMR's spokesperson confirmed that "the initial cause of the fire is thought to be from the extreme temperature and possible ignition from a piece of glass".

Six fire engines were sent to tackle the blaze.Six fire engines were sent to tackle the blaze. (Image: Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service)

He continued: "NMR have no history on any of their five other sites with fires in light iron.

"The Environment Agency have assured NMR that everything was in order with the procedures for tackling a fire, and no water left site during the whole process.

"The clearing up process has been completed and we are open for business as normal.

"NMR takes all matters regarding health and safety very seriously and have put all necessary procedures in place to minimise the risks."

Hertfordshire County Council has two contracts with NMR, including for the "treatment of scrap metals and lead acid batteries".

The council said in May that it was "confident that the organisation is reputable and compliant with all relevant legislative requirements for the services they provide for us".