More than 100 firefighters tackle Mansfield blaze - with operation set to continue through the night

Fire crews were initially called to Savanna Rags, off Nottingham Road, shortly before 4pm today, Saturday.

Nearby homes have been evacuated and electricity switched off while 16 crews from across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire tackle the blaze.

Area manager Damian West, incident commander, of Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service said, at 9.30pm tonight: “On arrival our crews were faced with a well developed and rapidly increasing fire.

“We’re likely to be here for a number of hours through the night.

“We’ve more than 100 firefighters on the scene, with support from Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service, Nottinghamshire Police, East Midlands Ambulance Service, the local authority and other agencies.

“I’d like to thank the local community for their co-operation and consideration during this incident. We’re aware a number of people have been displaced from their homes for their safety and a rest centre has been set up

“We’ll do everything we can to get people back into their homes as soon as it is safe to do so.

“Please stay away from the area, let us continue to tackle this incident safey and we’ll do so as quick as we can.”