Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SRFS) was alerted at 12.39am today (28 February) to reports of a large fire within an industrial recycling centre at Friarton Bridge Park in Perth, a spokesperson told letsrecycle.com.
The blaze is understood to have involved approximately 200 tonnes of scrap material. Police Scotland described the incident as an explosion and a fire.
Emergency services attended and the body of a 46-year-old man was found, Police Scotland stated, adding that formal identification has yet to take place but his next of kin are aware. Another man, aged 41, was taken to Ninewells Hospital with serious injuries where his condition is described as stable, Police Scotland noted.
Chief Inspector Tom Leonard, area commander for Perth and Kinross, said: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the man who has died at what is a very difficult time for them.
“Our enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of what has happened and officers are conducting a joint investigation with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
Fire
SRFS explained that Operations Control mobilised six fire appliances and other specialist resources to the scene, “where crews continue to tackle a fire involving approximately 200 tonnes of scrap material”.
This is a second fire that Shore Recycling’s Perth site has seen in the recent months. In September, the SFRS tackled a “significant” fire involving WEEE from household waste recycling centres for more than 24 hours.
A spokesperson for the company then told letsrecycle.com: “The fire self-ignited in a pile of waste electrical equipment from household waste recycling centres and was restricted to stock in the yard, away from vehicles, plant and buildings (see letsrecycle.com story).”
Shore Recycling has been contacted for comment about today’s fire.
Road closures
A spokesperson for SFRS also noted that road closures remain in place, advising local residents to close windows in their homes due to levels of smoke. And, Police Scotland confirmed that the M90 is closed at Friarton bridge. Traffic is being diverted and road users are advised to avoid the area, it added.
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