400 tons of rubbish burns in huge Rugeley blaze
More than 18 hours after being called, firefighters were continuing to deal with a 400-ton blaze in Rugeley this afternoon.
Fire crews were sent to the scene off Slitting Mill Road at 5.50pm on Monday after a controlled wood fire appeared to get out of control.
They remained at the scene well into Tuesday afternoon after battling throughout the night to control the blaze.
Two engines from Cannock were sent after the original call and crews hurried to stop the blaze from spreading to adjacent buildings and a nearby railway line.
They used more than 40 litres of foam to put out the flames as smoke poured into the Staffordshire sky.
At 2pm on Tuesday one engine from Cannock remained at the farm, while diggers were being used to create a soil fire break and put out the fire.
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service urged nearby residents to keep their doors and windows closed.
Locals took to Twitter as the fire ravaged through the rubbish.
Holly said: "Keep your windows shut people of Rugeley huge fire occurred over slitting mill hope no one is hurt!"
