FIREFIGHTERS have put out a blaze at an energy recovery site in Runcorn.

Crews from Runcorn and Widnes were called to a report of a fire at Runcorn Energy Recovery Facility Facility in Barlow Way at around 5pm on Thursday.

On arrival the crews liaised with on-site personnel regarding the fire at the industrial building measuring approximately 100 metres by 70 metres by 30 metres.

The fire in a chute and bunker involved around 10 tonnes tonnes of waste.

On-site water cannons were used to fight the fire as firefighters monitored it on CCTV.

An on-site extraction system was also used. The fire looked to be out shortly before 6pm.

On-site personnel then gradually moved the waste into an incinerator whilst firefighters checked the industrial waste facility for the hot spots using a thermal imaging camera.

A Cheshire Fire Service spokesman said: "Firefighters remained in attendance until they were satisfied that the site was safe from fire.

"They were in attendance for around five hours and 45 minutes and returned to the site the following morning to check that it was still safe.

"An inspection revealed that no hot spots had developed overnight.

"On-site personnel had monitored the building overnight."

A spokesperson for Viridor, which owns the plant, said: "A small fire was discovered in the waste bunker at Runcorn Energy Recovery Facility (ERF) at 4.30pm on Thursday.

"The site’s fire response system was activated and extinguished the fire in 20 minutes (at 4.50pm).

"The local fire service was informed as a precaution and as part of the site’s fire response policy.

"The fire service visited the site and following additional precautionary measures confirmed they were satisfied that the fire had been fully extinguished at approximately 6pm.

"There were no injuries, no risk to public health and Halton Borough Council and the EA have been informed.

"The cause of the fire is currently under investigation."