The fire started at 09:04 on Saturday and involved a “large amount of wood chippings,” in a pile approximately 100 by 75 metres, according to the Kent Fire and Rescue Service.
The fire is believed to have started as a result of heat build-up at the heart of the wood pile. Two fire engines attended the scene.
Crews used a covering jet to tackle the fire, as well as working alongside an on-site crew using machinery to break-up the pile of material to get to the heart of the fire.
Today (3 October) it was confirmed that the fire has been contained and the operation scaled back, with two ground monitors remaining on-site to pump water into the heart of the pile. The site also has a sprinkler system in place that has helped contain the fire.
A Countrystyle spokesperson told letsrecycle.com that the fire has been contained to a small bay and only affected wood material, with no risk to buildings.
Ridham Docks
Last month, Countrystyle Recycling partnered with Kent Fire and Rescue Services and the Environment Agency in a fire training exercise at the site (see letsrecycle.com story).
Commenting on the fire, a Countrystyle Recycling spokesperson said: “Countrystyle Recycling is engaged in implementing its Fire Management Plan to tackle a controlled fire in one of its stockpiles of processed waste wood located at Ridham Sea Terminals.
“This plan is being delivered in conjunction with Kent Fire & Rescue Service (KF&RS) (who recently carried out a training exercise at our request at our wood recycling facility at Ridham) and the Environment Agency (EA).
“The fighting of the fire and the mitigation of any adverse impact on the surrounding area is being closely monitored by Countrystyle in association with KF&RS and the EA.”
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