Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service said crews were called to the incident at 2:34am on 11 August 2026, where an estimated 50–100 tonnes of mixed domestic waste had caught fire.
At the height of the incident, six fire engines, a turntable ladder, an aerial ladder platform, a water carrier and several officers attended. Firefighters used four breathing apparatus sets and four main jets to tackle the blaze.
The service said crews would remain at the site “for a considerable amount of time”, continuing to damp down hotspots, turn over waste materials and monitor environmental conditions.
Residents reported smelling smoke across Milton Keynes overnight.
Waste sector faces continued fire pressure
The latest incident comes as waste and recycling fires continue to affect facilities across the UK during a period of hot, dry weather.
Over the weekend, firefighters tackled a 4,000-tonne scrap metal fire at a recycling centre in East Tilbury, Essex, while a separate blaze at a waste facility in Dagenham required 15 fire engines and around 100 firefighters.
Another major fire is also ongoing at a waste site in Corby, where crews have been working to extinguish an estimated 500-tonne waste fire.
Industry bodies including the Environmental Services Association (ESA) have warned that battery-related fires – particularly those linked to improperly disposed lithium-ion batteries – are now occurring at what they describe as “epidemic levels”.
The recent heatwaves have also heightened the risk of fires spreading through stockpiled waste.
The ESA has published guidance to help waste and recycling operators protect frontline workers during the heatwave. It recommends reviewing fire prevention measures and taking additional steps to minimise ignition risks during periods of extreme heat.
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.
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