The fire, by the A5199 near Welford, was reported by a local farmer at 11.22 last night and is still burning. The fire brigade is using three pumps, two jets and excavation diggers – which smother the flames with soil – to keep the blaze in check. At its height, the blaze covered an area the size of a football pitch, but a fire service spokesperson confirmed that it is now (Monday afternoon) under control.
A Biffa spokesperson said that the burning material was the landfill cover made of foam and rubber. The Environment Agency has asked environmental experts at AEA Technology to monitor the dense smoke these materials produce. “As far as we are aware, there is no danger to the public health from the smoke but it is just a precautionary measure,” said the Biffa spokesperson.
The site, which was started up in 1981, contains about 3.5 million cubic metres of waste and is expected to be in use for approximately 5 more years.
The Biffa spokesperson said that the site contains waste of all kinds. Some uninfected sheep carcasses were buried at the site during the foot and mouth crisis, but they are not in the area affected by the fire.
The cause of the blaze is not yet known.
Register for free to comment