Fire in Leicester: Ulverscroft Road closed as crews battle 'challenging' blaze - residents urged not to drink tap water
Fire crews are dealing with a blaze on Ulverscroft Road in Leicester.
Residents in the local area are being urged to keep doors and windows closed. Leicestershire Fire Control wrote on X: “We are dealing with a fire incident on Ulverscroft Road, Leicester. Please keep doors and windows closed in local area.“
One user replied to the post saying he could see the smoke from the A5 at High Cross. Leicestershire Police has confirmed that Ulverscroft Road is currently closed.
The force said on X: “Ulverscroft Road, Leicester is currently closed between the junctions of Catherine Street and Forest Road due to a fire. Please find alternative routes and updates will follow. Many thanks.”
According to reports the major fire has broken out at a scrap metal yard sending a huge plume of thick smoke billowing across the city skyline. Emergency services are at the scene, with residents urged to keep doors and windows shut for their own safety - and to avoid drinking water from their taps.
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service are facing challenging conditions at the scene of the blaze as the wind keeps changing direction. Group Manager for Operational Response Dean Pidcock, says: "It's a challenge because the wind keeps changing direction. The smoke is not good for your health and we've been moving position, getting the fire reduced so it's safer for the local communities."
He added that the water supply is causing a challenge as well and that the force are liaising with Severn Trent to get as much water as they can, the Express reports. "The smoke has changed from black to grey to white, so that's a good sign. We're putting in fire brakes and surrounding the fire and putting water on it."