Crews still on site of Suez transfer station fire

In a statement released shortly after the incident, Suez said it was alerted to the presence of the fire at 2.30am on Sunday morning in the main refuse processing building at the station on Springwell Road, Wrekenton.

The company said there have been no injuries.

It was reported that the building contained non-hazardous general household waste collected from recycling centres over the weekend.

The waste management company reported that the fire service attended site within 10 minutes and crews remain on site, working to control and put out the fire along with Gateshead council, Sunderland city council and the Environment Agency.

The fire service is advising residents living in the area to keep away from the site and to keep their doors and windows closed.

Crews are currently dealing with a large #wastefire in Gateshead. This is a deep seated fire and crews will be on scene for a protracted period of time. This is a multi agency response and we ask residents to stay away from the area. Keep windows and doors closed. pic.twitter.com/GRipnNloT3

— Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (@Tyne_Wear_FRS) February 28, 2021

Investigation

The cause of the fire and the extent of any damage is still unknown, and will be subject to an investigation in “due course”.

Suez said both the transfer station and adjacent Household Waste and recycling Centre (HWRC) will remain closed until the fire service deems it safe to reopen.

The company added that it will take “several days” before the fire is completely extinguished and the site made safe, and advised resents to use the next closest HWRC in Blaydon.

Vehicle deliveries to the site are being rerouted and Suez said there will be “no disruption” to household waste collections as a result of the incident.

A Suez spokesperson said: “We would like to thank Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service and colleagues at Gateshead council, Sunderland city council and the Environment Agency for their continued efforts to manage the fire and we apologise for the disruption to our neighbours and the local community.”