FIREFIGHTERS are at the scene of a large tyre fire near York this afternoon.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service have sent six fire engines to the scene in Elvington Lane, with crews from York, Tadcaster, Acomb and Huntington.

Huge plumes of black smoke can apparently be seen from some distance away, and a spokeswoman said the fire to a large pile of tyres was in the open and "very large indeed", but close to both a caravan park and a wooded area.

York Press:

Picture by Keith Handley.

Crews were sent to initial reports at just after 3.30pm and the spokeswoman said they were expected to remain at the scene "for some time".