A huge fire at Briggs Metals Ltd in Newark, involving 1,000 tonnes of scrap metal, raged for more than 24 hours from 11.15am on Wednesday last week to 4.43pm on Thursday.

A HUGE blaze involving 1,000 tonnes of scrap metal raged for more than 24 hours.

An eyewitness first reported the fire at Briggs Metals Ltd, Old Great North Road, Newark, at 11.15am on Wednesday of last week.

The fire was eventually out at 4.43pm on Thursday.

At its height, there were 12 appliances drawn from across Nottinghamshire and the city of Nottingham, including a high-rise engine that pumped water on to the fire from above.

The dense pall of smoke rose high into the sky and could be seen from miles in every direction.

It necessitated the A616 (Great North Road) be closed for the duration of the fire on safety grounds, with motorists thanked for their patience.

A wide cordon was in place because gas cylinders were involved.

Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service worked with Nottinghamshire Police, The Environment Agency, East Midlands Ambulance Service and Public Health England to minimise the disruption to motorists and nearby residents.

Residents were advised to keep their windows closed and motorists told to keep windows closed, turn off air conditioning and keep their air vents closed when travelling through the smoke.

Great North Road re-opened in the early hours of Friday morning.

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.

A fire investigation team is working to establish how it started.