North Yorkshire Police have arrested a 51-year-old man in connection with the fire at a tyre recycling plant near York, which broke out late last week.
The arrest follows the launch of a joint investigation into the cause of the fire by the Police and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service. Following questioning on Monday (January 20) the man was released on police bail pending further enquiries.
The fire broke out at the Newgen Recycling site at Lennerton Lane in Sherburn-in-Elmet on Thursday morning (January 16) and although fire crews have now brought the blaze under control, they are expected to remain on the site for another two weeks.
The Newgen Recycling facility is permitted to recycle up to 50,000 tonnes of scrap tyres, rubber waste, tyre wire and textile materials from commercial sources. The firm produces rubber chippings which are sold for use in landscaping.
Research and development firm Polymer Recyclers Ltd also operates from the Sherburn-in-Elmet site. Neither company could be reached for comment when contacted by letsrecycle.com today.
Smoke
Up to 15,000 tonnes of waste tyres are thought to have been involved in the fire, creating a large volume of smoke which has continued to escape from the site but is expected to disperse during the course of today.
Residents have been advised to avoid any contact with the smoke by remaining indoors as much as possible and keeping windows and doors closed. They have also been warned that a strong odour will remain in the air for some time, although this is not thought to be a cause for concern.
In a statement, North Yorkshire Police said: The situation continues to be under control with North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue expected to remain on site for the next two weeks or so.
The fire is reducing in size and the smoke plume is now much lighter in colour and dispersing in the wind.
The statement added: Residents in Sherburn in Elmet and the surrounding area are still advised to avoid any contact with the smoke by remaining indoors as much as possible, ensuring windows and doors are closed as a precaution. This includes closing car windows, air vents and turning off air conditioning when driving.
Guidance
The Tyre Recovery Association (TRA) the organisation representing the UKs tyre recycling firms has worked closely with the Environment Agency to develop sector-specific guidance in a bid to reduce the number of fires that occur at tyre recycling sites, which is due to be published this year.
Speaking to letsrecycle.com TRA secretary general, Peter Taylor, said: We have been working with the Environment Agency to come up with a tyre specific version of PPG29 which is to be known as the Safe Storage of Tyres. We have gone down that road and it is in the final stages of being agreed with the Agency.
That will set guidelines for stack heights and access ways and set requirements for site security because that is also a big issue.
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