Final update:

Firefighting operations at a recycling centre at Chatham Docks, Chatham, are complete, and crews have left the scene. 

Update at 8.30pm on 15 September 2023

People living near to Chatham Docks, in Chatham, are no longer advised to keep windows and doors closed.

Two fire engines remain at the scene of the recycling centre fire, and crews are damping down remaining hot spots. 

Update at 3.20pm on 15 September 2023

Firefighters are still advising people living near to Chatham Docks, in Chatham, to keep windows and doors closed while they continue to extinguish a fire at a recycling centre.

Two fire engines and a height vehicle remain at the scene, where crews have worked overnight and throughout the day to bring the fire under control. 

While smoke in the area has reduced, it may increase and decrease while operations continue. 

Please share this update with loved ones in the affected area, who might not have access to the internet. Thank you. 

Update at 12.40pm on 15 September 2023

Firefighters continue to make good progress at a fire involving approximately 300 tonnes of mixed waste at a recycling centre at Chatham Docks, in Chatham. 

Two fire engines and a height vehicle remain in attendance, where crews are working to dampen down any remaining hot spots and make sure the fire is fully extinguished. 

The advice to keep windows and doors closed remains in place for people living near to the affected area, as smoke may increase and decrease while operations continue. 

Please share this update with loved ones in the affected area, who might not have access to the internet. Thank you. 

Update at 9.50am on 15 September 2023

Two fire engines and a height vehicle remain in attendance at a fire involving approximately 300 tonnes of mixed waste at a recycling centre at Chatham Docks, in Chatham.

Crews are continuing to make good progress and are dampening down any remaining hot spots. 

No injuries have been reported and the cause is not yet known. 

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 while firefighters work at the scene. 

Please share this information with loved ones in the affected area, who may not have access to the internet.

Update at 8am on 15 September 2023

Kent Fire and Rescue Service is responding to a fire at a recycling centre at Chatham Docks, in Chatham. 

At the height of the fire overnight, control operators sent eight fire engines, a high-volume pump, a height vehicle, and a technical rescue team to the scene. The number of fire engines has now been scaled down to four. 

Firefighters have made good progress tackling the blaze involving approximately 300 tonnes of mixed waste. 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. Please share this information with loved ones in the affected area, who may not have access to the internet. 

Initial update

People in the area surrounding Chatham Docks in Chatham, are advised to close windows and doors due to smoke coming from a large fire in the Docks. 

Eight fire engines are in attendance, and crews are working to extinguish the fire.

Please share this information with loved ones in the affected area who may not have access to the internet. Thank you.