Crews from Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue (LFR) were called to a recycling processing site near Grantham on Wednesday 1 April, marking the second fire linked to the facility in six months
Emergency services attended the Mid UK Recycling site on Ermine Street in Barkston Heath, near Ancaster, after smoke was seen rising from the facility. LFR confirmed it was dealing with what it described as a “large incident” at the site.
Detailing their response, a spokesperson for LFR said: “Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue are currently in attendance at a large incident at a recycling processing site near Ancaster. There are currently eight appliances and several specialist appliances including a high volume pump, hose layer, and an aerial ladder platform in attendance as crews work to tackle the fire.”
As a precaution, residents and businesses in the surrounding area were advised to keep windows and doors closed while firefighting operations continued.
Lincolnshire Police said it had also received reports of the fire at Copper Hill Industrial Estate shortly after 9am, and road closures were put in place to ensure public and firefighter safety.
The fire service added: “We have worked with Lincolnshire Police to arrange several road closures around the site for the safety of our crews and residents, and we ask that people avoid the area for the time being. Residents and businesses in the area should also look to keep windows and doors shut wherever possible.”
Mid UK Recycling later confirmed that the fire had been brought under control and that no injuries were reported. In a statement, a company spokesperson said: “A fire broke out at our Barkston Heath facility, Lincolnshire, on the 1st April. It was quickly brought under control, and everyone on site is safe. We remain on site with a small team from the emergency services as a precautionary measure.”
As reported by Lets Recycle, the latest fire follows an earlier blaze at the same facility on 18 October 2025, when thick plumes of smoke were reported drifting over nearby villages. The recurrence has renewed attention on ongoing concerns about fires at waste and recycling facilities across the UK and Ireland.
Industry bodies and fire services have repeatedly warned about the increasing number of fires involving mixed waste and recyclable materials. The Environmental Services Association has warned that battery-related fires, particularly those linked to improperly disposed lithium-ion batteries, are now occurring at what it has described as “epidemic levels”.
The cause of the fire at the Mid UK Recycling facility has not been disclosed.