A fire appliance remained at the site throughout the night and a fire engine was still there at 6.30am on Thursday morning.

Firefighters have worked through the night at a blaze at a battery recycling centre which broke out a year after another fire there.

Six fire engines went to the scene in West Byrehill Industrial Estate, Kilwinning in North Ayrshire when the alarm was raised at 12.42pm on Wednesday.

Several nearby houses were evacuated “as a precaution”, but people were later allowed to return home. Huge plumes of smoke were seen billowing from Fenix Battery Recycling, a year after a fire at the site, in April 2024.

A fire appliance remained at the site throughout the night and a fire engine was still there at 6.30am on Thursday morning.

People living nearby are being advised to be keep windows and doors shut and vents closed, and not to pick up any batteries or debris in the surrounding area. There are no reports of any injuries.

Drone footage emerged showing the aftermath of the fire as emergency services remained on the scene. In the 40 second clip smoke can be seen billowing up into the sky as fire crews continue to battle the blaze.

The Fenix battery recycling centre, where the inferno broke out, appears have been completely destroyed after flames ripped through the building.

Speaking to the Record, a local man – whose house looks onto the centre – said he saw firefighters running for cover.

Ryan Wallace said: “The heat from the fire is really bad. The flames are a strange blue, green colour and missiles are flying out of the blaze all over the place.

“Officers from the emergency services started running away as the batteries started exploding. The smoke is like an erupting volcano”

An image appears to show the batteries exploding from within the fire. Wendy, from Stevenston, posted on social media about the noise from the explosions.

She wrote: “Scary stuff! It’s still banging. I thought we were being attacked. These factories should not be near residential areas, in my opinion.”

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson previously said: “We are currently in attendance at a large fire within a recycling centre on Byrehill Place, Kilwinning.

“We have mobilised six fire appliances to the scene. Members of the public are being asked to avoid the area and close windows and doors if you are affected by smoke.”

A spokesperson for Police Scotland added: “Emergency services remain in attendance at a fire at a battery recycling facility in West Byrehill Industrial Estate in Kilwinning which was reported shortly before 1.10pm today, Wednesday, 9 April, 2025.

“Local residents are able to return to their homes, which were earlier evacuated, and Pennyburn Road has been re-opened. A cordon remains in place and there are still some road closures in the area.

“There are no reports of anyone having been injured.

“Advice to those living nearby continues to be keep windows and doors shut and vents closed. Locals are also advised not to pick up any batteries or debris in the surrounding area.