RESIDENTS by the Thames Riverside, particularly those in Tilbury, were advised to keep their windows and doors shut to keep out potential toxic smoke from a scrpayard fire on the other side of the river.

Following an alert in the early hours of this morning (Wednesday, 8 October) firefighters have tackling a blaze at a scrap metal yard on Crete Hall Road, Gravesend.

It is the second time this year that the site has caught light. In May, a fire at the same site saw 5,000 tonnes of scrap metal ablaze, with smoke drifting over wide ranges of Thurrock.

Today's blaze saw wind take the majority of the smoke in the opposite direction, towards the Isle of Sheppey, though Kent Fire and Rescue Service did advise that - as a precaution if they were concerned - people in Tilbury should keep their windows and doors closed.

In their latest report on the blaze around 1pm the service, which had reduced the number of appliances in attendance from ten to six, said they have the fire under control.