Bearton Ward Councillors, Val Bryant, Dave Winstanley Ian Albert have issued a strongly-worded statement calling for various agencies including North Herts Council to urgently review the operating licence of National Metal Centre.

The move comes after a second toxic blaze at the industrial site on Caldwell Lane in Hitchin earlier this week - and the second time Hitchin residents have been forced to keep their windows shut for fear of toxic fumes.

As Hitchin Nub News has previously reported firefighters spent seven hours putting out a large fire at the industrial site, a mere eight weeks after an initial large fire took hold there on December 11.

The trio of respected local Hitchin councillors told Hitchin Nub News: "We were saddened but not surprised to hear about the latest fire at National Metal Recycling.

"We had warned before Christmas that about the likelihood of future fires and the dangers to residents.

"We are calling upon the relevant agencies, the Environment Agency, Health & Safety Executive, Herts Fire Service, North Herts Council and Herts County Council to urgently review the licence to operate of this company."

Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue were called to National Metal Centre, in Cadwell Lane, Hitchin, at 1150pm on Wednesday evening (February 7) with the inferno eventually extinguished by 650am.

Seven crews were sent to the scene and found a "large pile of scrap metal well alight".

The trio of councillors explained: "We can't just wait for another fire or injuries to happen before something is done. We were relieved that all the firefighters involved were safe."

The group added: "In addition, we were shocked to learn today that just before the first fire, Herts County Council had let a £2 million contract with the company to receive and/or collect metal waste materials from Hertfordshire's recycling centres.

"In my role as County Councillor, I will be asking the Council to urgently review this contract and whether it should continue."

Hitchin Nub News has contacted National Metal Centre for .comment