Tonnes of waste up in smoke at energy site
FIRE Crews were mobilised to Runcorn’s energy-fromwaste (EfW) plant to tackle a blaze involving a pile of rubbish.
Cheshire Fire And Rescue Service (CFRS) said the incident was reported on Barlow Way ay 4.45pm last Thursday, July 11.
It said the fire covered an area measuring around 100 metres by 70 metres by 30 metres.
CFRS said the fire took place in a chute and bunker and involved around 10 tonnes of waste.
On-site water cannons fought the flames as firefighters monitored it on CCTV.
An on-site extraction system was also used.
The combined efforts of fire crews and the on-site systems made short work of the blaze and it looked
to be out before 6pm.
Two appliances attended – one each from Runcorn and Widnes
A CFRS spokeswoman said: “On-site personnel then gradually moved the waste into an incinerator whilst firefighters checked the industrial waste facil● ity for the hot spots using a thermal imaging camera. Firefighters remained in attendance until they were satisfied that the site was safe from fire.
“They were in attendance for around five hours and 45 minutes and returned to the site the following morning to check that it was still safe.
“An inspection revealed that no hot spots had developed overnight.
“On-site personnel had monitored the building overnight.”
Plant operator Viridor said the cause of the fire is under investigation.
She said: “Viridor can confirm a small fire was discovered in the waste bunker at Runcorn Energy Recovery Facility (ERF) at 4.30pm yesterday (Thursday, July 11).
“The site’s fire response system was activated and extinguished the fire in 20 minutes, at 4.50pm.
“The local fire service was informed as a precaution and as part of the site’s fire response policy.
“The fire service visited the site and, following additional precautionary measures, confirmed they were satisfied that the fire had been fully extinguished at approximately 6pm.
“There were no injuries, no risk to public health and Halton Borough Council and the EA (Environment Agency) have been informed.
“The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.”