FIRE crews were called to a huge blaze at a scrapyard in Poole last night.
Firefighters were called to Charles Trent scrapyard at 8.30pm.
Over 170 vehicles are estimated to have been involved in the fire, according to the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service.
The blaze sent clouds of black smoke at least 100ft into the air which could be seen for many miles around. And witnesses reported hearing loud explosions and bangs like “fireworks going off ”
Drone footage by Mark Osmond
The fire has now been brought under control around midnight but crews were asking people to avoid the area.
The incident was officially closed at 5am this morning and there are no crews left at the scene.
Incident at scrapyard #Poole closed at 5am this morning. No resources on scene. Photo from height of fire pic.twitter.com/ZPS1hhTVdB
— Dorset&Wiltshire FRS (@DWFireRescue) June 18, 2016
Eleven fire crews and approximately 60 firefighters were at the scene.
According to the managing director of Charles Trent more than 150 cars were destroyed in the fire.
A photo of the wreckage at the scrapyard taken this morning.
A spokesperson for Dorset Police said they were assisting the fire service at Ringwood Road and "a number of vehicles" were alight.
The police helicopter was sent up to help give fire crews an idea of the extent of the fire.
“Officers are on the scene assisting the fire service," the spokesperson said.
“A cordon has been put in place and a number of roads are closed including Ringwood Road at the junction of Mannings Heath Road and Rossmore Road, St George’s Avenue and Ling Road at the junction of Calluna Road.
“No casualties have been reported. Members of the public are being advised to avoid the area.”
Traffic was at a standstill earlier on all roads surrounding the scrapyard.
Nearby residents reported seeing large plumes of thick black smoke and loud bangs coming from the scrapyard.
Mrs Karen Ralph, from Arne Avenue, Poole, said: “There are 10 fire engines there now. It is massive. I have heard what I think are tyres exploding. There are huge bangs going off. It’s like fireworks. There is a huge rolling black cloud over the area.”
The smoke can be seen for miles around, with residents of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Purbeck all saying they can see the blaze.
Nobody is believed to have been hurt in the fire.
Nearby Tower Park has remained open throughout.
You can see the full force of the flames now at what we understand is Charles Trent scrapyard @Bournemouthecho pic.twitter.com/y4PDXZf7Zw
— Toby Wadey (@TobiasWadey) June 17, 2016
People stood in disbelief at the fire on pavements, in the street & hanging out car windows! @Bournemouthecho #Poole pic.twitter.com/S6TpHWtvUs
— Caitlin Marsh (@CaitlinM_Echo) June 17, 2016
Police have cordoned off Calluna Road @Bournemouthecho pic.twitter.com/4t68hVTTqX
— Sam Sheldon (@SamDailyEcho) June 17, 2016
@Bournemouthecho here is my best video quality wise of the parkstone Fire pic.twitter.com/bOKhkalsbJ
— DreamsDecorating (@DreamsDecorate) June 17, 2016
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