“The stench is rancid” says a man nearby the fire taking place at the waste recycling plant, Shanks, in Creek Way, Rainham.

Romford Recorder: Smoke from the fire at Shanks waste recycling plant in Rainham can be seen across Havering. Picture courtesy of Jack Stallibrass.Smoke from the fire at Shanks waste recycling plant in Rainham can be seen across Havering. Picture courtesy of Jack Stallibrass. (Image: Archant)

James Green, 37, of Rainham, said: “I work on the industrial estate near by and all you can see is smoke.

“It’s probably about 100 feet high and it smell is unbelievably horrible. The stench is rancid.”

Firefighters were originally called to the scene at 9.50am there is 100 tonnes of waste alight, which the London Fire Brigade says is equivalent in weight to “40 white rhinoceros”.

Romford Recorder: A fire is still alight at Shanks waste recycling plant in Creek Way, Rainham, around seven hours after it first begun. Picture courtesy of James Green.A fire is still alight at Shanks waste recycling plant in Creek Way, Rainham, around seven hours after it first begun. Picture courtesy of James Green. (Image: Archant)

There are now 12 engines and over 80 firefighters and officers who are taking water from the Thames, in order to fight the household waste fire.

Do you know anything else?

Call Hayley on 0208 477 3719 or email hayley.anderson@archant.co.uk.

Read more:

Fire at Rainham waste cycling plant

Update: Tonnes of waste on fire at Rainham waste cycling plant equivalent to weight of ‘40 white rhinoceros’