Firefighters have left the scene of a large fire which broke out at a recycling centre.

This morning a fire service spokesman said “firefighting operations were complete” and crews had left after a huge blaze at Chatham Docks.

The fire started in the early hours of Friday (September 15) and ripped through around 300 tonnes of mixed waste at Street Fuel Ltd.

Eight fire engines were sent to the Docks just after midnight, as well as a high-volume pump, a height vehicle, and a technical rescue team was also sent, and crews using breathing apparatus used high-pressure hoses to tackle the flames.

While the number of fire engines was scaled down, Kent Fire and Rescue was still warning neighbours to keep windows and doors closed yesterday afternoon, as they said the volume of smoke might increase and decrease as operations continued.

That advice was stood down at 8.30pm.

One staff member at Street Fuel said he was helping to move waste, in order to help crews manage the fire.

“I’ve got to drive a machine to assist them,” he said. “They say they’re going to be there most of the day.”

He said the blaze had damaged part of a metal structure that covers waste, but that most of the rubbish itself had not been burnt.

A statement from KFRS said: “These types of fires can take some time to be fully extinguished, and therefore crews are expected to be in attendance for at least a day.

“While smoke in the area has reduced, people living nearby are still advised to keep windows and doors closed, as smoke may increase and decrease as crews work at the scene.”

A further statement said firefighters were continuing to make good progress, adding: “Two fire engines remain at the scene of the recycling centre fire, and crews are damping down remaining hot spots.”

Medway Council posted on social media to warn against travelling in the area.

It stated: “Due to a major fire at Chatham Docks you are advised to avoid travelling in the area this morning. We will keep you updated.”

Residents on St Mary’s Island said the first they knew of the fire was when they woke up and smelt smoke.

At 6.48am today (Saturday), the fire service tweeted: “Firefighting operations at a recycling centre at #ChathamDocks are now complete, and crews have left the scene.”

Kent Fire and Rescue Service later said the cause of the fire had not been identified.

It’s the second large fire at the Docks in recent times, following the huge blaze last year which destroyed the Chatham Freight warehouse.

On that occasion 10 fire engines were sent to the scene and more than 50 firefighters battled the blaze, which broke out in the early hours of June 25 2022.