Materials set to be removed from fire site
EFFORTS MADE TO REDUCE SMOKE
SMOULDERING material will be moved this week to reduce the smoke coming from a fire at Energy Works 12 days ago.
Fire crews were called to the plant in Cleveland Street at 1.17pm on Saturday, September 26, as smoke billowed from vents at the building.
Four engines were sent to tackle the blaze, but reinforcements were called to the scene and the road was closed as the situation escalated.
A fuel bunker on the site is responsible for producing the smoke, but Energy Works say the material still smouldering should be removed shortly.
A spokesman for Energy Works said: “We continue to monitor the facility and are taking all appropriate measures to protect the community and the environment. Over the coming days, when safe to do so, an operation will be commencing to remove the material in the bunker.
“To minimise any possible impact, the material will be removed from Energy Works in a controlled procedure, over the next few weeks.
“The vehicle movements to remove the material will be within social hours and will be no greater than those under normal operation. We do not expect this to cause any disruption to local traffic.
“Humberside Fire and Rescue confirmed during their week on site nothing of a hazardous nature was on fire and on a precautionary basis the Environment Agency is monitoring air quality in the area.
“We continue to be in contact with local residents and will provide updates via our website, energyworkshull.co.uk, as they become available.”
Local residents have been advised to keep windows and doors closed with those at a nearby caravan site in Bedford Street spoke out on their suffering after dealing with smoke from the fire for three days.
Humberside Fire and Rescue Service has worked closely with the Environment Agency, Hull City Council’s Environmental Health team and Energy Works to bring the fire under control and reduce the environmental impact to the River Hull which is next to the site.
Residents have continued to suffer from the smoke with concerns raised over the smell and the impact on air quality.
Humberside Fire and Rescue Service group manager Simon Donnachie confirmed the incident has been handed back to Energy Works.
He said: “Crews worked very hard to bring this complex and unique fire under control. We used our new 45m aerial ladder platform to access areas they could not reach.
“The fire was contained in a concrete bunker and our crews and officers were there to advise site managers on how to contain and extinguish the fire safely.
“I’m pleased that we were able to hand the incident back to the site managers on Friday.”
The Environment Agency confirmed it is continuing monitor the situation.
A spokesman said: “Our specialist officers are closely monitoring the impact of ongoing smouldering within the waste derived fuel bunker and any impact of this to air quality near to the site.
“While there is currently very little smoke being generated, we continue to ensure that all appropriate measures are being taken by Energy Works to protect people and the environment whilst resolving the situation as promptly as possible.”
An independent investigation continues to determine the cause of the fire. has to