FIVE fire crews rushed to the Crown Industrial Estate in Taunton after a fire broke out at the recycling centre.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service were called at 10.31am to Priorswood Recycling Centre after reports of a fire at a building on the site. 

The fire involved machinery and five tonnes of waste material which were both completely destroyed by the fire.

Police were also in attendance and closed the entrance into the recycling centre and traffic was being diverted to Venture Way.

A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police said: "We were called to assist fire crews earlier today after there was a fire at Priorswood Recycling Plant in Taunton. 

"The entrance to the recycling centre has been closed and traffic is being diverted to Venture Way."

Three fire crews from Taunton initially attended the incident and on arrival crews confirmed the building was engulfed in smoke and flames. 

Taunton fire crews then requested for another fire crew to attend and firefighters from Bridgwater then came to help fight the fire. 

Fire crews also requested for a water bowser and aerial ladder platform to attend. 

Firefighters then confirmed there was a fire within a single storey commercial building.

Crews worked with three main jets and one safety jet together with two breathing apparatus to extinguish the fire.

At 10.50am firefighters requested for a further appliance to be sent to the scene.

Crews from Wellington then came out to fight the fire and a Command Support Unit from Wiveliscombe was also in attendance.

Paul Slaven, press officer for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said: "We were updated at 1.03pm by fire crews who are now making steady progress. 

"Recycling is now being moved by fire crews over to another part of the centre to be extinguished. 

"Fire crews are working to ensure the fire extinguished as quickly as possible."

"At 2.30pm crews confirmed the fire involved machinery and waste material.

"There has been 60 per cent damage to the building by smoke and 20 percent damage by heat.

"The machinery has been completely damaged by the fire and five tonnes of waste has been completely destroyed.

"Crews used six breathing apparatus, three main jets and one safety jet together with compressed air foam to extinguish the fire."

"The cause of the fire is believed to be accidental."