Wednesday 10:00hrs

Firefighters have now completed damping down at the scene of the tyre fire in Mexborough.

Residents who were evacuated from their homes on Monday morning are starting to return to their properties.

Doncaster Council’s Assistant Director of Neighbourhoods and Communities, Gill Gillies, said: “Our Neighbourhood Teams will continue to provide dedicated support and residents have been provided with a fact sheet offering further advice and guidance.

“All roads affected by the fire are now open and air monitoring is continuing to be carried out by the Environment Agency.

“I would like to acknowledge the work of our council staff and those of our partner agencies, including South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, South Yorkshire Police, the Environment Agency and Health Protection Agency, who have all worked hard to ensure the welfare of local residents throughout this incident.”

Tuesday 1700hrs

Four fire engines and two aerial ladder platforms remain at the scene of the tyre fire in Mexborough. Firefighters have made excellent progress extinguishing the blaze, and it is expected that firefighting operations will be scaled down even further later this evening, with one appliance remaining in attendance overnight.

Residents who were evacuated yesterday morning will be able to return to their properties between 7pm and 9pm this evening to collect personal belongings. However, following advice from the Health Protection Agency, the residents have been advised not to stay at their homes overnight. They have been offered alternative accommodation by Doncaster Council at a nearby hotel. It is hoped that the residents will be able to return home tomorrow.

Local people who have not been evacuated are still advised to keep doors and windows closed, and remain indoors if possible, due to the amount of smoke affecting the local area.

Tuesday, 0700hrs

Six fire engines and a high volume pump remain in attendance at the scene of the tyre fire in Mexborough this morning. A plume of smoke continues to affect the local area and residents are still advised to keep their doors and windows shut, and remain indoors if possible.

Further supplies of foam are due to be delivered from outside the county to assist in firefighting operations this morning.

Monday, 1900hrs

Firefighting operations are continuing on the site of a fire involving 120,000 vehicle tyres in Mexborough. The incident is still being attended by around 60 firefighters with nine fire engines and a high volume pump. SYFR is being supported by additional foam supplies from their colleagues at Greater Manchester and Merseyside FRSs.

The Health Protection Agency has confirmed that the local residents who have been evacuated from their houses will not be allowed to return to their properties on Monday night as a precaution for their own safety. Some are staying with friends and relatives, while Doncaster Council has arranged accommodation for the others. Local people who have not been evacuated are still advised to keep their doors and windows closed and stay indoors if possible. Road closures remain in place.

Firefighting will continue through the night and into Tuesday.

Monday 1530hrs

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue are still in attendance at a large tyre fire on White Lea Grove, Mexborough.

Crews were initially called to the incident at around 1.30am and found around 120,000 tyres burning. Firefighters worked quickly to prevent the blaze from spreading to nearby houses.

Around 20 local residents have been evacuated from their properties for their safety, and there is still no estimate as to when they may be able to return.

Local people are advised to keep their doors and windows closed and stay indoors if possible. Traffic is advised to avoid the area if possible with road closures and diversions in place.

Fire crews continually to work tirelessly to put the fire out but expect to remain at the incident well into Tuesday. They still have around 60 firefighters in attendance, with nine fire engines, an aerial ladder platform and a high volume pump.