AN investigation has been launched into a fire at a recycling centre.

Three fire crews were still at Cleveland Waste Paper Recycling, in Hartlepool, yesterday to dampen down the flames.

When the alarm was raised at about 5.45pm on Thursday, 11 appliances from Cleveland Fire Brigade were called to the centre.

Fire officers and Cleveland Police have now launched an investigation.

The company, which has sites across the North-East shreds and disposes of office waste paper.

The Environment Agency which regulates the site was monitoring the clean-up operation.

A police spokeswoman said: “The wind direction was favourable in directing the smoke out to sea and as the centre is in an industrial area there were no immediate implications for residents.”