West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service was called to the site on Ford Road, Ford Industrial Estate, at around 10.03am today (14 August 2026).
A water carrier has also been sent to the scene as crews work to bring the blaze under control.
Pictures from the industrial estate show large plumes of smoke rising from the building, with the fire service asking people to avoid the area while the incident is ongoing.
The service said: “We are currently dealing with a fire at a waste transfer station in Ford Road, Ford.
“Please avoid the area and keep doors and windows closed if you live nearby.”
There is currently no information on whether anyone has been injured or what caused the fire.
A spokesperson for Grundon said everyone on site was safe and accounted for.
They said: “First and foremost, we are very thankful to confirm that everyone on site is safe and has been accounted for.
“We are working closely with the emergency services and would like to pay tribute to the fire service in particular, which responded very promptly after the alarm was raised.”
The company said its focus was currently on supporting the emergency services, relevant authorities and its own staff.
It added that it was “too early to speculate on the cause of the fire”, but highlighted the increased fire risk posed by discarded batteries entering waste collections.
The spokesperson said: “We – along with many other waste companies – face increased risk from the disposal of discarded batteries within waste collections.
“We would urge everyone to be aware of the potential dangers and to check with their local council to understand where they can safely dispose of their batteries.”
Grundon opened the Ford Waste Transfer Station in 2015. The facility bulked up commercial waste for onward processing and serves the wider south coast area.
The site handles up to 20,000 tonnes of commercial and industrial waste each year.
The company said it would provide further updates in due course, while the fire service continues to deal with the incident.
These very issues will be at the heart of discussion at the Fire and Health & Safety Conference, taking place on 21 October 2026 – find out more here.
Register for free to comment