Major Incident Declared After Huge Recycling Center Fire in Rushden

A major fire has broken out at a recycling center in Rushden, Northamptonshire, shortly before 6:30 am on May 23, 2025. The incident, which has been declared a 'major incident' by fire bosses, has sent a huge plume of black smoke billowing into the sky, visible for miles. Twelve fire appliances and additional open water sources have been deployed to tackle the blaze, which is expected to continue into early next week. 'The recycling warehouse inside had really tightly packed rubbish, which is also highly flammable,' explained Graham Stothard, ITV Anglia reporter at the scene. The fire service is working with the local gas company to prevent gas supply disruptions to up to 500 properties. While no casualties or injuries have been reported, road closures are in place, and a police cordon has been established. The large scale of the fire and its potential impact on the community highlight the seriousness of the situation.