Blaze in plastics recycling plant shuts down rail services in west

By RHIANNON WILLIAMS
Published on 22/01/2013 00:00

EMERGENCY services last night battled a large fire at a recycling plant, which disrupted rail services.

More than 60 firefighters from Johnstone, Paisley, Renfrew and other stations fought the blaze, which Strathclyde Fire and Rescue described as “well developed”.

The fire broke out in the WRC plastics recycling plant in Floors Street, Johnstone, at about 6pm, and was apparently reported by a passing Scotrail driver.

Donald Marshall, 31, who lives 200 yards from the factory, said: “The fire is along a T-junction and has been sealed off. The fire service are saying it’ll be sealed off for 24 hours, but hopefully not, because there’s only one way out.”

The blaze blocked all train lines between Johnstone and Kilwinning, and is close to the Glasgow-Ayr line.