Around 2,000 tonnes of building waste comprising plastics and wood is ablaze at a Cardiff-based recycling site, in a fire the South Wales Fire & Rescue Service has warned could burn for days.
60 firefighters and six engines continue to tackle the fire, which erupted around 1.30am today (March 28) at the Atlantic Waste Management Ltd site in Newton Road, Rumney.
A spokeswoman for South Wales Fire & Rescue Service said efforts to contain the fire had been hampered by the close proximity of 30 to 40 gas cylinders at the five-acre site.
The cylinders, which are of varying condition, have to be kept cool in order to reduce the risk of explosion and subsequent risk to firefighters.
She said: South Wales Fire & Rescue Service crews are currently working to contain a fire involving approximately 2,000 tonnes of recycled building waste in the Wentloog area of Cardiff.
Crews are working in close cooperation with South Wales Police and Natural Resources Wales to bring the incident to a safe conclusion in order to minimise disruption to the local community and local community and local businesses. We anticipate that the incident will run for days, not hours.
The cause of the fire is currently being investigated by the South Wales Fire & Rescue Service and fire investigation team.
Advice
Natural Resources Wales has confirmed it is currently on-site advising fire crews on the types of waste they are dealing with. It is also concerned that the facility neighbours a site of special scientific interet in the area.
Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for South Wales Police confirmed that Newton Road remained closed after the blaze had extended across the site.
She said: A plume of smoke has formed as a result of the blaze however, the public are advised that its content is not hazardous to health. The cause of the fire is as yet unknown and enquiries ongoing at the scene by colleagues from the fire service.
Atlantic Waste Management Ltd, which specialises in treating construction industry waste, provides skip hire and commercial waste and recycling solutions.
When contacted by letsrecycle.com, the firm was not available for comment.
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