FIREFIGHTERS tackled a blaze at a Wirral industrial unit used for recycling plastic last night.

Six fire engines attended the incident at the single storey unit formerly owned by Bristol Myers-Squibb in Reeds Lane in Leasowe. The fire was extinguished by 8.27pm.

Two main hoses were used to tackle the blaze in the machine, which measured around six metres by four metres.

There were no reports of anyone injured or trapped.

Station manager Paul Lawless, who attended the incident, said: “Watch Manager Dixon, as initial incident commander and based at Upton Community Fire Station, along with all the firefighters who attended did an exceptional job in containing the fire and making sure it did not spread.

“We had six appliances at the location for breathing apparatus operations as there was a lot of smoke in the large industrial unit.

“The fire involved an electrical machine which is used in the recycling process. Although there was fire damage to that machine and some smoke damage, the business should be able to operate tomorrow after the quick reactions of firefighters.”

The Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service control room received six calls about the fire.

An appliance from Birkenhead Community Fire Station, one from Upton Community Fire Station, two from Wallasey Community Fire Station, one from West Kirby Community Fire Station and one from Kirkdale Community Fire Station were sent to the scene.

The Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service Incident Management unit also attended the call-out. The cause of the fire was suspected to be accidental.