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Lochhead landfill fire sends smoke across Dunfermline

Lochhead landfill site near Dunfermline has reopened after a fire onsite on Sunday (24 August 2025) afternoon.

Lochhead landfill fire
Image credit: Facebook/Fife Jammer Locations

The alarm was raised at 1:28pm after a “large quantity of rubbish and some machinery” at the recycling facility, operated by Cireco on behalf of Fife Council, caught fire.

Images captured show black smoke spreading from the landfill site.

22 firefighters and five appliances from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service were at the scene.

A statement from Fife Council on Sunday warned the incident “may have a knock-on effect for waste collections and bulky uplifts in West Fife.”

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “Operations Control mobilised four fire appliances and one height vehicle to the scene and approximately 22 firefighters extinguished a fire affecting a large number of mattresses and a shredder.

“There were no reported casualties and crews left the scene at approximately 10.33am on Monday, August 25 after ensuring the area was made safe.”

Fire started in recycling bay

Dunfermline North councillor Gavin Ellis visited the site and posted on Facebook that the fire began in a recycling bay before spreading to other sections.

He posted: “All staff are safe and the fire is now being contained and extinguished.

“The digester plant and the rest of the recycling unit is reportedly untouched, however a shredder unit has been damaged.

“Many thanks to the workers on site and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service for their quick work in tackling this event.”

Second major fire at Lochhead site

The blaze is the second major fire at the Lochhead facility in nine months.

Scottish Fire and Rescue sent 6 fire engines and specialist resources to the previous incident, in December 2024.

Robin Baird, Chief Executive of Cireco Scotland, said at the time: “I can confirm that there was a fire at Cireco Park near Lochhead overnight, not at the landfill site, but it’s now out.”

These very issues will be at the heart of discussion at the Fire and Health & Safety Conference, taking place on 23 October 2025 at the Hallam Conference Centre in London. Bringing together regulators, operators, and safety experts, the event will explore case studies, prevention strategies, and the latest innovations to help the industry strengthen its resilience – secure your early-bird ticket here.

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