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Investigation into Wollaston recycling fire underway

Investigation into Wollaston recycling fire underway
A plume of black smoke could be seen emitting from the site (credit: Katie Ridout)

A fire involving waste plastics that broke out at a recycling depot in Wollaston, Northamptonshire yesterday afternoon (January 18) has largely subsided overnight, Northampton Fire & Rescue Service has confirmed.

Around 60 firefighters were called to the blaze at Think Green Recycling Ltd, located on the Wollaston Industrial Estate, at approximately 12.40pm yesterday.

A plume of black smoke could be seen emitting from the site (credit: Katie Ridout)
A plume of black smoke could be seen emitting from the site (credit: Katie Ridout)

The fire involved around 80 tonnes of plastic material as well as rags and was contained within the rear yard of the building. There were reported to be no injuries or damage to the building itself.

The Fire Service used 10 pumping appliances to bring the blaze under control, as well as receiving assistance from crews normally located in Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire.

Smoke

The blaze was brought under control by 4.30pm yesterday, with only ‘small amount of residual smoke’ being emitted from the site as of 6.30am today.

A spokesperson for Northamptonshire Fire & Rescue said: “There are fire investigators on the scene at the moment and we have one fire appliance visiting periodically to dampen down the site.

“We are assisting Think Green Recycling with getting back to normal as soon as they can.”

Residents living near the scene of the incident were informed to keep their windows and doors closed yesterday after a large plume of black smoke could be seen emitting from the recycling site. However, the Fire Service has today confirmed people can ‘carry on as normal’.

One resident who lives in a village some three miles from the recycling site told letsrecycle.com that at the height of the fire she could “smell and taste the burning”.

The Environment Agency and forensic investigators from the Northamptonshire Police Service are also at the site today, working with the operator of the site to establish how the fire was started.

Established in 2012, Think Green Recycling Ltd carries out treatment and disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous waste in Northampton and the surrounding area.

When contacted by letsrecycle.com, the company said it would not comment on the incident until the investigation had been completed.

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