SCORES of firefighters were last night tackling a huge blaze at a scrapyard in Poole.

The fire sent clouds of black smoke at least 100ft into the air which could be seen for many miles around.

And witnesses reported hearing loud explosions and bangs like “fireworks going off ”.

The blaze at Charles Trent scrapyard in Ringwood Road began at 8.30pm.

Eyewitnesses were reporting 10 fire engines and nine police cars at the scene.

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said they were assisting the fire service at the incident.

Police officers closed Ringwood Road at its junction with Rossmore Road and the double mini roundabout at the Honda garage.

Calluna Road and St George’s Avenue was also shut.

Traffic was at a standstill on all roads surrounding the scrapyard and around 1,000 onlookers were also at the scene.

One onlooker described the scene as “absolute chaos”.

Nearby residents reported seeing large plumes of thick black smoke and loud bangs coming from the scrapyard.

Mrs Karen Ralph, from Arne Avenue, Poole, said last night: “There are 10 fire engines there now. It is massive. I have heard what I think are tyres exploding. There are huge bangs going off. There is a huge rolling black cloud over the area.”

The smoke could be seen for miles around, with residents of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Purbeck all saying they could see it.

The police helicopter was also sent out to help give fire crews an idea of the extent of the fire.

A Dorset Police spokesperson said: “A number of vehicles are alight. A cordon has been put in place and a number of roads are closed. “No casualties have been reported. Members of the public are being advised to avoid the area.”