The site, which used to be run by fridge processor Overton Recycling, was acquired by Environcom in 2014, after the previous owner had been placed into administration (see letsrecycle.com story).
The 40,000 tonnes per year capacity recycling plant at the Lye Valley Industrial Estate, near Dudley, processes waste electrical items from household and commercial sources.
Incident
Crews from West Midlands Fire Service were called to the site at 12.12pm following a 999 call, and the fire was extinguished at 1.30pm. At the height of the incident 11 fire engines, the police, Environment Agency and 50 firefighters attended the scene.
At present it is currently not known what caused the incident, but fire officers have remained on the site today to investigate.
A West Midlands Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “There was 20 by 30 metres of waste that was contained. A hydraulic lift was used so we could get above the fire and throw water down onto it.
“Our fire crews wearing breathing apparatus also used hose reels to put out the fire. A Bobcat digger was used to separate the waste into sections.
“We brought the fire under control at 1.30pm and our officers will be carrying out an investigation at the site today.”
Response
An Environcom spokesman thanked West Midlands Fire Service for its response to the incident.
He said: “We would like to thank the fire service for their prompt and effective response to the incident which occurred in the yard at our site. Site controls ensured that all employees were evacuated quickly and safely and no damage was sustained to the operating machinery and site. We regret the disruption and damage this caused to third parties and are working with the fire service to understand the cause of the fire.”
The spokesman added the plant remains open today and that equipment had not been damaged by the blaze.
Environcom, which also operates a WEEE treatment facility in Grantham has dealt with major fires in previous years, following blazes at the Lincolnshire facility in February 2014 (See letsrecycle.com story) and May 2014 (See letsrecycle.com story).
UPDATE (15:30 8/08/2016): Commenting on the latest situation from the site Environment Agency officer, Dave Thrussell, said: “We have been working closely with West Midlands Fire Service to minimise the impact of the fire on the environment, including nearby River Stour (by directing the fire water run off to an appropriate place). We will continue to support the site and fire service in establishing the cause of the fire and assist the ongoing clean-up operation.”
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