The incident prompted a multi-crew response and the movement of material to bring the blaze under control, with Taunton, Bridgewater and Ilminster stations all responding.
According to a Facebook post from Taunton Fire Station, crews were mobilised to a “fire in the open”. Initial resources included two fire engines from Taunton, with additional support requested as the scale of the incident became clear.
200 tonnes of waste on fire
Firefighters were called to the Henlade site located within a concrete works yard and involved a large, piled quantity of combustible material.
Crews reported that approximately 200 tonnes of waste was mechanically separated, spread out and damped down as part of firefighting operations.
The volume of material was a key factor in the duration and complexity of the response, with heavy plant required to break down hotspots within the pile.
The fire was categorised as open waste burning rather than a structure fire, but still required a substantial operational deployment due to the size of the waste heap and risk of fire spread.
As operations progressed, the incident commander requested a water carrier from Bridgwater to support sustained firefighting operations. Water was supplied via both the carrier and a local hydrant.
The Facebook post explained: “On site workers assisted crews with a mechanical grab and two JCB’s to seperate the waste so it could be damped down. Approximately 200 tonnes of waste was moved and damped down.
“Crews used 2 hose-reel jets, 2 thermal image cameras, triple extension ladder and water supplied by the water carrier and local hydrant.
“Relief crews were requested from the stations above to conclude the Incident.”
Relief crews from the same stations were later requested to rotate personnel and bring the incident to a close.
Ongoing concerns over waste fires
The Henlade incident comes amid continued concern over fires at waste and recycling facilities across the UK and Ireland, with operators and fire services reporting persistent incidents involving mixed waste and recyclable materials.
One recent example saw a major blaze at a recycling facility in Southall in January 2025, which led to severe disruption to rail services serving Heathrow Airport. The incident required eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters, according to the London Fire Brigade.
Industry bodies including the Environmental Services Association 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”.
Large outdoor waste piles, such as green waste and mixed garden material, can also present heightened fire risk due to heat build-up, contamination and changing moisture levels.
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