Residents are being warned to keep doors and windows closed as a huge industrial fire continues to burn.

Firefighters remain at the scene of the huge fire in Newhaven – more than 48 hours after it first started

Crews have been tackling the blaze at the Skip It containers yard in Newhaven since Friday at 10.30am.

More than 200 tonnes of rubbish is thought to have been destroyed inside a large warehouse in North Quay Road.

A East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman said: “There remains considerable smoke in the area.
“The waste which is burning is household waste but any smoke can irritate eyes and throats and so locals are being asked to keep doors and windows closed.
“Drivers are being advised to avoid the area and keep windows closed if driving nearby.”

When The Argus visited the site, a reporter was asked to wear a protective mask.

A fire service spokeswoman confirmed that crews would be at the scene all day today (Sunday).

At its peak more than eight engines, including firefighters using aerial ladders, were involved in bringing the blaze under control. In total more than 17 crews have been at the fire.

The fire is understood to have escalated on Friday night with residents reporting police cars and numerous fire engines arriving at around 10pm.

On Saturday morning residents woke to find the town covered in smoke.

Karen Mayo, who lives nearby, said: "It is massive, there is thick grey/black smoke everywhere.

"It is like a thick fog has fallen over the whole town. I remember there was a huge fire at the scrap yard a few years ago and it is just like that."

Police have put up cordons and people are being urged to avoid the area.

An East Sussex Fire and Rescue spokeswoman said they had informed the Environment Agency. She added that the incident is expecting to be ongoing for several hours.

There are no reports of injuries.

An Environment Agency spokesman said: “We are responding to reports from East Sussex Fire and Rescue regarding a fire at a waste site in North Quay Road, Newhaven. “Officers are on site to monitor any environmental impact from the fire. The site is near the River Ouse, but at this stage the river is not affected and environmental impact is considered minimal.

“We will continue to monitor the situation closely.”

Residents are being advised by the fire service to avoid the area.