Firefighters from two services worked through the night to contain a substantial fire at a recycling and landfill site in Wraysbury, with nearby residents advised to keep their windows and doors closed because of drifting smoke.
Early hours response
Surrey Fire and Rescue Service said it sent 12 pumps to Fowles Skip Hire on Hythe End Road at about 02:30 BST. Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, which provided a further 10 pumps, led the response at the site near Staines.
Local residents reported dramatic flames and a loud noise during the incident. One witness described the height of the flames relative to nearby trees.
"The flames were 'higher than the surrounding trees'."
Community impact and observations
Neighbours told reporters there had been a significant bang around 03:00, and one resident said there was no water pressure by about 07:00 before visiting the scene after being alerted by family.
Emergency crews focused on preventing the fire from spreading. One resident noted that some material in the wood pile was too deep to be fully extinguished from the surface.
- Site: Fowles Skip Hire, Hythe End Road, Wraysbury
- Initial response time: about 02:30 BST
- Apparatus deployed: 12 pumps (Surrey) and 10 pumps (Royal Berkshire)
- Advice issued: keep windows and doors closed due to smoke
Operational notes
Fire services described the location as a recycling facility and landfill site, where stacked material can produce deep-seated fires that are difficult to reach with surface water alone. Surrey Fire and Rescue Service said crews were working to contain the blaze and limit spread, while Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service was the lead agency handling on-site operations.
| Service | Pumps deployed |
|---|---|
| Surrey Fire and Rescue Service | 12 |
| Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service | 10 |
Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service had not provided an immediate comment to media requests. Local officials and emergency services will continue to monitor air quality and the stability of the site as crews work to bring the incident under control.
For community members, the immediate public-health precaution was simple: keep indoor spaces sealed against smoke until authorities advise otherwise. The incident underlines how fires at recycling and waste sites can generate prolonged smoke and complex, resource-intensive firefighting operations.
Further details, including cause and a full assessment of environmental impacts, were not yet available.
