AN INFERNO is raging at a waste and recycling site.

Large flames can be seen leaping from the Viridor Household Waste Recycling Site in Stane Street, Westhampnett, Chichester.

A large cloud of smoke is billowing into the air and spreading through the sky, causing West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service to send out a warning to residents livign nearby.

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The Argus:

A spokesman said: "We are currently dealing with a large fire at the Household Waste Recycling Site in Westhampnett near Chichester.

"Smoke is spreading south east so will be visible from the A27.

"Nearby residents should keep doors and windows closed for the time being.

The Argus:

"Four fire engines and the control unit are currently on the scene.

"Crews are working to put out the fire which involves 200 tonnes of waste."

This is the second blaze at the site in a year.

The Argus:

In April 2019 six engines were called to the centre to deal with a large fire.

Owner Viridor later said this was believed to have been caused by lithium ion batteries, which it said were the "main cause of waste site fires".

At 8.30pm a fire service spokesman provided an upadate.

He said: "The fire is under control. We have scaled the incident back and one fire engine will be on the scene overnight."