Firefighters are still battling a large blaze at a battery recycling plant in North Ayrshire more than 32 hours after it erupted.
Two crews and one aerial appliance remain at the Fenix Battery Recycling on Byrehill Place in Kilwinning after being called to the area on Monday night.
Hundreds of residents were forced to leave their homes after the surrounding area was evacuated as flames engulfed the recycling centre and firefighters battled the blaze through the night.
Videos show large plumes of smoke billowing out of the factory in the middle of the night.
Loud banging noises were heard by residents who said it “sounded like a terror attack” while material inside exploded.
The banging was heard from as far as the neighbouring towns of Irvine and Stevenson.
@stvnews No injuries have been reported after the blaze at the Fenix Battery Recycling Centre in Kilwinning, but firefighters remain on the scene. #scottishnews #news #stvnews #stv #firefighters #emergencyservices #kilwinning #fire #blaze #northayrshire #scotland #scottishnews ♬ original sound – STV News
Shelly Smith told STV News: “We were woken up by loud bangs which we thought were fireworks and then family calling asking if we were ok as they could see the flames and smoke and were worried it was our house.
“We could then see the smoke from our daughter’s room and the sky lighting up along with the bangs, it looked like fireworks flying out of it.
“The smoke was so thick and filling the sky, it was a really worrying time for everyone.”
At its height, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service sent six fire engines and one height appliance to the area.
By Wednesday morning, two crews and a height appliance remained.
There were no reports of any casualties.
Follow STV News on WhatsApp
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
