Kilwinning battery plant fire: "We shouldn't be in this position again'

After a major fire tore through a former battery plant in North Ayrshire, there are fresh calls to rethink how developments like this get the green light.

Firefighters were called to a large blaze at a the recycling centre at around 12.45pm on Wednesday.

Six fire engines were sent to the scene of the fire on Byrehill Place, Kilwinning, North Ayrshire.

Huge plumes of smoke were seen billowing from Fenix Battery Recycling, a year after a fire at the site in April 2024.

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) asked neighbours to keep their doors and windows closed, and evacuated nearby homes.

People reported seeing and hearing explosions and bangs coming from the fire.

A refuge centre was opened at Cranberry Moss Community Centre for people who could not reach their homes.

'We shouldn't be in this position again'

Conservative Councillor Todd Ferguson said the site should have been cleared of any fire-risk material when notices were issued by SEPA last year.

He told Clyde 1: "We really shouldn't be in this position again, a year after the last fire outbreak.

"It's a huge concern for everyone, particularly for the people who live in close proximity to this site.

"I've raised this issue on numerous occasions to North Ayrshire Council, not only in relation to battery recycling plants, but also the increase of applications for battery energy storage sites of a larger capacity, primarily because of the risks associated with lithium ion batteries.

"Globally there has been an increase in the amount of fires, mitigations are being looked at stringently by local and national government and its something we really need to keep a close eye on.

"I certainly think the remedial works on the site should've happened a lot quicker than they have done.

"SEPA served two enforcement notices back in May 2024, and here we are in April 2025 and once again we have a major incident on this site.

"It would look as if the materials have not been cleared in a timely fashion, and that's something we need to be asking questions of SEPA about why that didn't happen.

"The timescales should've been a lot quicker, and that's something I'll be asking the council to represent to SEPA on our behalf and ask why there was a delay in getting this site cleared up.

"If they had cleared it efficiently, we wouldn't have been in this position where we have a major incident on our doorsteps."

'No casualties'

A spokesperson for SFRS said: "We were alerted at 12.42pm on Wednesday to reports of a large fire within a recycling centre on Byrehill Place, Kilwinning.

"Operations control has mobilised six fire appliances to the scene and firefighters are working to extinguish the flames.

"There are currently no reported casualties.

"As a precaution, members of the public are being asked to avoid the area and close windows and doors if affected by smoke."

A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: "Emergency services are in attendance at a fire in West Byrehill Industrial Estate, Kilwinning, North Ayrshire.

"Motorists and pedestrians are asked to avoid the area.

"Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is advising people in nearby houses to keep windows and doors closed."

SEPA has been contacted for a response.

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