FIREFIGHTERS are tackling a large blaze at a 114-year-old waste firm which was devastated by fire three years ago.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue sent eight engines and a pumping appliance to FD Todd and Sons, on Thirsk Industrial Estate after being alerted at 5.06am today.

Eight fire engines are there, along with a specialist pumping appliance from Harrogate.

A brigade spokesman said an industrial unit, measuring 20m by 30m, containing household rubbish was well alight by the time they arrived.

Three buildings at the site were wrecked in May 2011, after blaze was sparked by a buildup of bacteria in a waste store that had spontaneously combusted.

Following the fire in 2011, the firm said it had worked closely with the Environment Agency to put additional measures in place to minimise the fire risk and other nuisance factors.