FIRE crews remain at a landfill site near Wareham following a large fire.

Dorset Fire and Rescue Service said that it received calls at around 7pm and sent eight firefighting appliances, including two water carriers, a high-volume pump and mechanical diggers, to the Trigon Landfill site.

Residents nearby were advised to keep their windows shut.

In total, around 45 firefighters were sent to the scene.

The blaze, which was extinguished around 10.20pm, is the second fire at the site in the space of a year, following a blaze there in September last year.

Fire crews will remain on scene until at least lunchtime, a spokesperson for Dorset Fire and Rescue said.

"This incident has been scaled down to two pumping appliances and two high volume pumps", they added. 

"One main line is continuing to damp down area whilst on site staff are using heavy plant machinery to turn over the rubbish."

Denise Bell, landlady at the nearby Silent Woman pub, said: “It is massive. Fire engines are coming her every two or three minutes to fill up.

“One of the firefighters said he believes this time is bigger than last time.

“Last time when it went up it was awful, we were all housebound for two days. I don’t know if we’ll get much sleep tonight.”

She said that earlier she had seen huge plumes of smoke from their garden.

Residents living in nearby properties were advised to keep their windows closed while firefighters dealt with the blaze. 

A spokesman for Viridor, which owns the site, said: "A surface fire broke out at Trigon landfill site, Bere Lane at 6.30pm. Viridor emergency response procedures were followed quickly and effectively.

"Six tenders from Dorset Fire and Rescue Services worked alongside Viridor site personnel to extinguish the fire and the Environment Agency were in attendance.

"The fire is now effectively extinguished, and the team will work throughout the day to manage hotspots, entering into a 72-hour fire watch this evening.

"Customers have been notified that the site may remain closed for the remainder of the week, and have been advised of alternative service provision.

Dorset Fire Service Group Manager, Andy Fox, said: “Our tactical plan for dealing with the landfill fire was very successful.  Firefighters used aggressive tactics including the use of water bowsers and high volume pumps that, combined with site staff using heavy machinery to smother the fire, has worked really well.”

Ian Morrish, Landfill Energy Director, said: “Thanks to the Viridor team and emergency services that worked hard through the night, and to colleagues around the company who offered assistance. A full investigation into the cause of this incident is underway.”