Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Health fears still remain
NHS assurances fail to reach residents near fire-hit factory
RESIDENTS claim they have been “kept in the dark” in the aftermath of an asbestosclad factory burning to the ground close to their homes.
The former Wood Group warehouse was engulfed in flames on Sunday night and smoke could be seen for miles around.
NHS Tayside later confirmed white asbestos had been present in the roof of the building. Although the healthboard claimed the risk to health was “negligible”, people with longstanding health issues or respiratory conditions have been asked to keep doors and windows shut.
But one OAP, who lives a 10minute walk away on Hawick Drive, said many people had not received the message.
He said: “The air is thick with smoke and it’s in the house. I think it’s worse a few days later than it was on the night. It’s stinking.”
In a Facebook post, NHS Tayside said: “The public should be reassured advice from NHS Tayside’s public health team is that on the basis of international evidence, the risk to human health from large fires involving asbestos is negligible. The ongoing risk to the health of the local population and those in the vicinity at the time of this fire is extremely low.”
But the resident claims many of those living in the area are elderly and do not have access to social media, meaning they have not been informed directly of the latest updates regarding the fire.
He added: “We have heard nothing. The police closed the road but I have not heard anything else. We feel like we’ve been kept in the dark.”
A police spokeswoman told the Tele it was not for Police Scotland to comment or provide advice on health matters, but added that inquiries were “ongoing” into the nature of the fire.
Dundee City Council also advised it was a matter for the fire service.
The fire service’s group commander Graham Smart said: “Our partners are continuing to monitor the atmosphere. The wet weather and our continued efforts are contributing significantly to suppressing any remaining smoke. As such, risk to the public remains very low. Our crews will remain until the scene is made safe.”