Large fire breaks out at Hitchin Industrial Estate

A blaze started at Global Ardour Recycling Limited in Wallace Way at 10.35pm, with a police spokesperson saying they were "called to assist Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service with a fire at a scrap yard in Wallace Way, Hitchin".

Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service have been contacted for comment.

It's the fourth fire in Hitchin Industrial Estate in less than a year. (Image: Iyad Moustaquim)

This is now the fourth fire at the industrial estate in less than a year, after blazes in December 2023, as well as March and July this year at the Nationwide Metal Centre in nearby Cadwell Lane.

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Following the blaze in July, Hitchin MP Alistair Strathern said he wanted to "reduce the risk of further fires in the future".

"I will be speaking with our local councillors and Herts Fire and Rescue Service for more details on the incident, and to push for action to reduce the risk of further fires like this in the future," he told The Comet.

Bearton ward councillors Ian Albert, Val Bryant and Dave Winstanley called for an "urgent review" of Nationwide Metal Centre after the March fire.

Police and fire crews rushed to the scene in Wallace Way. (Image: Iyad Moustaquim)

Cllr Albert has now said he wants a review of "the metal recycling licences on the Hitchin Industrial Estate", which he believes is "long overdue".

"I have written to the chief executive of Hertfordshire County Council and the Environment Agency, calling for a review of the metal recycling licences on the Hitchin Industrial Estate," he said.

"This is long overdue. I have asked Herts County Council and North Herts Council to do urgent air quality tests today."