Fire extinguished at Gaskell’s in Liverpool

Mersey Fire and Rescue Service confirmed the news yesterday and said its next priority will be an investigation into the cause of the fire.

The fire, which started on Tuesday shortly before 1pm involved “approximately 100 metres by 40 metres” of material in a single story steel framed warehouse, a statement by the Fire Service revealed.

At its height, eight fire engines, a combined platform ladder, along with support vehicles were onsite tackling the fire.

Site owners, Network Rail, Merseyside Police, the Environment Agency and MFRS cooperated to establish firefighting tactics and discuss any concerns.

Update

An update from the Fire Service on Tuesday evening said: “With the assistance of site operators fire crews are pulling waste from the building into an open area where it is being spread out to enable the complete extinguishing of fire.

“Materials are then being baled by site machinery before safe disposal.”

Two local roads were closed as a result of the fire, while it is understood some nearby businesses were affected on Tuesday.

The Fire Service advised members of the public to keep doors and windows shut and remain indoors.

When contacted by letsrecycle.com, a spokesperson for Gaskell’s praised the work of the Fire Service and the company’s employees in their handling of the fire.

‘Swift response’

In a statement, the company said: “Thanks to the actions of our staff and swift response from Merseyside Fire service, it was contained very quickly, crews left the site within 48 hours, and damage remains minimal.”

“It remains business as usual at Gaskells, with no disruption for our customers. Once again we’d like to thank our staff, and the surrounding businesses.”

Gaskells

Gaskell Waste Services was founded in 1991 and specialises in the collection of non-hazardous commercial and industrial waste from businesses.

The site on Foster Street, Bootle, which includes a waste transfer station and materials recycling facility, was originally a £2.5 million investment and licensed to process up to 75,000 tonnes of material per year (see letsrecycle.com story).