Fire crew to probe blaze at tyre firm

Plumes of smoke filled the skies over a Shropshire town after a "suspicious" fire ripped through a 100-tonne pile of recycled rubber.

Bosses at Wem Industrial Estate said the blaze took hold at about 11.20pm yesterday. It is the fourth recent fire involving Kingpin Tyres Ltd.

About 15 firefighters from Wem, Prees, Tweedale and Shrewsbury used two hoses to battle the smoke and flames until just before 2.30am.

William Nevett, Wem Industrial Estate site manager, said today that a security patrol reported the fire at 11.17pm.

He said: "It was a big fire but not as big as the one earlier this month."

Firefighters managed to contain the fire and were due to return to the scene today to begin an investigation into the cause.

Phil Smith, watch manager at Wem Fire Station, said: "We went to Kingpin Tyres just over a week ago and were there again last night after another fire was reported just before 11.20pm. It was in the same location, just outside the building.

"It was a matter of protecting the surrounding buildings and making the area safe but the fire was not as severe as last time."

He said and investigation would be carried out: "I'm concerned as to the reasons behind this fire and we are going to be investigating the suspicious circumstances."

Nobody from Kingpin Tyres was available for comment today.