Large recycling plant fire controlled

Firefighters have brought a large blaze at a recycling plant in Hamilton's industrial district under control.

A worker in the area said he heard a large explosion at 12.55pm today before the fire took hold at D&T MacDonald in Latham Court, Frankton.

"There was a loud boom. It absolutely stinks out there," Clayton Pinkney told the New Zealand Herald.

D&T MacDonald supplies recycled building materials including plywood, timber, windows, pipes and more.

The fire contained a number of plastics and televisions.

Assistant fire area commander Daryl Trim asked people to keep their windows and doors closed if they were affected by the toxic smoke sweeping west across the city.

The blaze was about 10m x 10m, Mr Trim said.

Northern Fire Communications shift manager Dallas Ramsay said the large rubbish fire involved plastic and chemicals and Environment Waikato had been called to the scene.

She was not aware of any evacuations and could not say if the fire had been deliberately lit.

The fire began at Planet Recycling, however, its owner was not present.

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