Major fire Wingfield recycling plant | MFS issues smoke warning

Authorities have brought a major fire at a Wingfield recycling plant under control – but not before it caused millions of dollars worth of damage.

A major fire at a recycling plant at Wingfield has been contained.

Authorities were alerted to the fire at the Visy recycling plant on Johansson Road just after 3.30am on Thursday morning.

The MFS and CFS deployed significant resources to the fire, which was brought under control by around 7.30am.

The fire was contained to one building on the site but the MFS says it will still leave a damage bill in the millions of dollars.

At its worst, the flames were visible through the roof of the warehouse and there were multiple explosions.

Smoke billows from the plant. Picture Caleb Bond / The Advertiser.

The Visy recycling plant at Wingfield has been badly damaged in a fire that broke out in the early hours of Thursday morning: 7 News Adelaide.

MFS acting assistant chief officer Eero Haatainen said the fire was found burning in piles of cardboard and plastic when firefighting crews arrived.

He said roof panels had collapsed into the building, landing on top of burning piles and making it difficult to extinguish the fire.

“It was too dangerous for firefighters to enter the building due to the potential building collapse so we attacked it to large, high pressure lines … and aerial appliances externally,” Mr Haatainen said.

“I don’t think it could have got much worse than what it is.”

At its peak, there were about 100 firefighters – including from the CFS – battling the blaze.

Fire cause investigators were set to examine the scene in the afternoon.

Johansson Road is closed from the intersection of Cormack and Schumacher roads and is likely to remain closed for most of Thursday.

The blaze is spewing smoke across homes in the area.

The MFS advises residents and motorists in the area to stay indoors and close all doors and windows until the smoke has dissipated.