Around 50 firefighters and nine fire engines tackled the blaze at Solway Recycling, Shawhead on Sunday afternoon.
A number of buildings and hundreds of tons of plastic were engulfed in flames. Black smoke could be seen billowing above the farm for miles – with some stating they could see smoke as far as Cumbria. One onlooker at the fire said the blaze allegedly started in a workshop and spread to a house.
Firefighters remained on the scene throughout the evening until the fire was fully extinguished this (Monday) afternoon. There have been no reports of injuries.
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “We were alerted 4.02pm on Sunday, May 31 to reports of a building fire at a recycling centre in Shawhead, Dumfries and Galloway.
“Nine fire appliances and a number of specialist resources were mobilised to the scene, and crews worked to tackle and contain a large fire which had spread across a nearby dwelling and a number of outbuildings.
“Crews remained on scene throughout the night and into the next day, and the fire was fully extinguished on the afternoon of Monday, June 1.”
Police had asked members of the public to avoid the area as they potentially could interfere with the efforts of the emergency services.
A Police Scotland statement for Dumfries and Galloway added: “The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service are currently dealing with a fire at a farm in the Shawhead area, outside Dumfries.
“Police are asking members of the public to avoid the area as any additional traffic has the potential to interfere with the efforts of the emergency services.”
Solway Recycling was set up by farmer Roy Hiddleston in 1992 and is currently is one of the most established waste farm plastic recyclers in the world.
Mr Hiddleston manages the business with wife Sharon from their premises at Rigghead farm and employ around 20 members of staff.
