Thick black smoke was seen over Ilkeston on Thursday morning (6 November 2025) after a fire broke out at Ward’s metal recycling and waste management facility on Griffon Road.
Fire crews were called to the scene just after 9 am, urging the public to avoid the area and for residents to keep windows and doors closed while they tackled the blaze.
Ward confirmed the incident began in the vehicle depollution area, where scrap cars are dismantled and processed. The company said the situation was “quickly contained” and that everyone on site was safe.
“We are saddened to confirm that a fire started at our metal recycling and waste management facility on Griffon Road in Ilkeston on the morning of Thursday 6 November 2025,” said Donald Ward, Operations Director.
“It began in the vehicle depollution area where scrap vehicles are processed and recycled and was quickly contained… Everyone on site is safe and well and the situation is under control… A full investigation is underway with the appropriate authorities.”
While Ward stresses this was the first fire at the Griffon Road site, many residents were quick to point out it comes just seven months after a major blaze at the company’s Crompton Road facility, also in Ilkeston, which required eight fire engines and sent smoke across the town in April 2025. That fire was later blamed on a discarded lithium battery.
Locals commenting on social media have expressed frustration that two serious fires have now occurred at Ward-operated sites within the same year, calling for greater oversight of recycling operations and clearer information about how combustible materials are handled.
Although no injuries have been reported, questions remain about safety standards, site inspections, and the environmental impact of repeated industrial fires on the town’s air quality.
As of Thursday evening, Derbyshire Fire & Rescue crews remained on scene damping down and assessing the area. Ward says it is co-operating fully with investigators.
