A Broadheath scrapyard has described repeated fires at their site as an "inconvenience" to local residents, offering little reassurance they can prevent future incidents.
A spokesperson for J Davidson Scrap blamed lithium ion batteries for yesterday's blaze - the second major fire at the Craven Road site in less than a year - saying such batteries were "the scourge of scrapyards".
Lithium ion batteries, which are commonly found in mobile phones, laptops, e-bikes and electric vehicles, are highly flammable due to their volatile chemical composition and can ignite spontaneously if damaged or improperly disposed of.
The company said the small batteries were slipping through despite staff vigilance and signage warning against them being accepted.
"We are not the only scrapyard that has this problem - they are the scourge of scrapyards," the spokesperson said. "Despite signage that we don't accept them, and even though our staff are on the lookout for them, you can appreciate that some small ones slip through. We do our upmost to stop them coming into the scrap."
The J Davidson Scrap blaze at its height yesterday afternoon
Addressing concerns from nearby residents, the spokesperson added: "As far as local residents are concerned, the company appreciates it is an inconvenience and their concerns regarding the smoke.
"The fire is contained with six-metre-high concrete walls in the processing yard and according to the fire service there is little chance of the fire escaping the walls."
The incident has prompted calls for action from both local MP Connor Rand and local councillor Ulrich Savary, who say residents deserve better than repeated exposure to fires and smoke.
Houses on neighbouring Craven Road and Peveril Road are just yards from the scrapyard, which is also located next to Altrincham Retail Park.
In a statement issued today, Mr Rand said he had written directly to the scrapyard's owners demanding answers about safety protocols.
"This is the second fire at this location in just 11 months, with several others in recent years," the Altrincham and Sale West MP said. "Each time, local residents are severely impacted by the fumes and smell and the site is concerningly close to residential properties.
"Clearly, there is an ongoing safety issue and I have written to the owners to ask what processes and safety protocols they plan to establish to ensure this cannot happen again."
Five fire engines from across Greater Manchester and one aerial ladder platform attended the scene at approximately 2.40pm yesterday. Crews wearing breathing apparatus used two hose reel jets to extinguish the fire and remained at the site for seven and a half hours.
A Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson confirmed: "Firefighters removed all burnt and heated products from the area and departed after roughly seven and a half hours in attendance."
The fire comes less than a year after a large blaze destroyed numerous vehicles at the same site in March last year. The scrapyard has also been the subject of a Health and Safety Executive investigation following the death of a man in his 40s at the site in September.
Councillor Ulrich Savary said he had contacted Trafford Council multiple times regarding concerns about the business and would do so again today.
"Residents living nearby are understandably concerned about the business and want the council to act," Cllr Savary said.
A spokesperson for Trafford Council said: “Trafford Council is concerned that this is the second major fire at the site in a relatively short period of time.
“The regulation of scrap metal businesses rests between the Council, Environment Agency and the Health & Safety Executive. We will work with partners and Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service to see what further safety measures can be taken at the site.
“The safety and wellbeing of residents is, as always, our number one priority.”
