A fire at a scrap metal and waste recycling centre near Ipswich was most likely caused by a discarded battery, a fire investigation has concluded.

The fire at Sackers in Gipping Road, Great Blakenham, on Thursday August 8, resulted in a major response by Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service.

It was brought under control late on Thursday and Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service subsequently launched an investigation into the cause.

This has established that the most likely cause was a battery which had made its way into a pile of scrap metal.

If batteries, or electricals containing batteries, are not properly separated they can end up being crushed in the waste and recycling process.

When punctured they can self-combust, setting fire to any surrounding dry and flammable waste and recycling.

Councillor Steve Wiles, Suffolk County Council Cabinet Member for Public Protection, said: “This was a major incident that caused massive disruption to a great many people and saw firefighters put themselves potentially in harm’s way as they bravely dealt with it.

“We all use batteries, we all benefit from them, and therefore it is everyone’s responsibility to dispose of them safely.

“I would urge people to learn from this incident – please, when you get rid of a battery, do it properly.”

At the height of the Sackers fire there were a total of 14 fire engines - around 80 firefighters at the scene, which included appliances from Essex and Norfolk.

Local residents and businesses were advised to keep doors and windows closed for nearly 24 hours as a massive smoke plume, which could be seen for miles, rose above the site.

Trains were also severely affected as rail services from Ipswich to Norwich, Cambridge and Ely were cancelled owing to the potential danger from the fire to the adjacent railway track.

The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) said in May that lithium-ion batteries thrown in household rubbish bins had led to more than 1,200 fires in the UK waste system in the last 12 months, compared to 700 in 2022.

In June last year operations were disrupted at Haverhill waste transfer station in Homefield Road after fire broke out amongst 50 tonnes of rubbish and which is thought to have been caused by a battery.

Waste batteries and electrical items should never be thrown into household waste.

Instead, they can be recycled at any of Suffolk’s 11 Recycling Centres, as well as other local recycling banks. Many supermarkets also accept them.

Electricals containing batteries that tend to be discarded the most are smaller, frequently used and often cheaper electricals like toothbrushes, shavers, chargers, and toys.

More information can be found at the Suffolk Waste Partnership website https://suffolkrecycling.org.uk/