Around 40 firefighters are tackling a fire involving what has been described as thousands of tonnes of waste paper at a site in Salford this morning (March 3).
Crews were called to the Asset and Land Group site in Duncan Street just before 11.30pm yesterday, while some eight fire engines and a number of special vehicles remain at the scene.
The firefighters used a stihl saw in order to gain access to the area, and were forced to use breathing apparatus and jets to tackle the fire as well as an excavator to move bales of paper out of the way.
As of this morning, a spokeswoman for Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service told letsrecycle.com crews had yet to gain control of the blaze and residents living in Salford were reminded to keep windows and doors closed as a safety precaution.
Group manager Andy Heywood, who is currently overseeing the incident, stated he was unsure how the fire would develop.
‘Serious’
He said: At the moment we are applying water to the outside of the building to stop the fire spreading. By allowing the fire to burn inside the building it stays hot and gives off smoke which is relatively clean.
“Unfortunately because the building and fire is right next to the railway line we have asked for the trains to be stopped and overhead line equipment isolated. It could be several hours before we can be confident of what will happen to the building and how the fire will develop.”
In an earlier statement, Mr Heywood said: “It’s a serious fire and our priority is to protect the neighbouring businesses and the railway line which runs next to the building affected.
“We’re working with Environmental Health because of the large volume of smoke which is blowing over Salford. There’s nothing to be alarmed by, but we are asking residents affected by the smoke plume to keep their doors and windows closed.”
The blaze follows a fire at another site owned by Asset and Land Group in Stockport last year, in which 50 firefighters and 10 fire engines worked to bring the incident under control (see letsrecycle.com story).
Prior to the August blaze, the company had revealed it was seeking general waste in the North West for the RDF/SRF market place.
When contacted by letsrecycle.com, Asset and Land Group declined to comment.
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