Chinese lantern causes huge blaze at British recycling plant
More than 200 firefighters fought a major blaze at a recycling plant in Britain yesterday after a Chinese lantern set 100,000 tonnes of paper and plastic alight. Ten firefighters suffered minor injuries as they battled the fire at the plant in Smethwick, just outside Birmingham in central England, the local fire department said. The blaze sent a massive plume of smoke rising 1,800 metres into the sky which could be seen for miles around.
More than 200 firefighters fought a major blaze at a recycling plant in Britain yesterday after a Chinese lantern set 100,000 tonnes of paper and plastic alight.
Ten firefighters suffered minor injuries as they battled the fire at the plant in Smethwick, just outside Birmingham in central England, the local fire department said. The blaze sent a massive plume of smoke rising 1,800 metres into the sky which could be seen for miles around.
"Two officers have been hospitalised and another eight have been treated at the scene," a spokeswoman for the fire service said last night.
The service added in a message on its Twitter page: "Major fire at Smethwick caused by a Chinese lantern - make sure you use them safely."
Emergency services were called to the fire at the J & A Young plant, which is on an industrial estate, at around 11pm on Sunday night.