Fire Could Continue For Another Week

18 October 2011, 10:59 | Updated: 18 October 2011, 11:27

Firefighters say a fire at a waste recycling centre at Burton Latimer that's generating a lot of smoke, more than a week after it started, could continue for a long time to come.

Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue are having to let the fire at Blackbridge Farm partly burn out on its own, because of the risk of pollution from the water they would use to put out the bales of burning clothes and plastics that are ablaze.

This is generating a lot of smoke, and has been since the fire started on Sunday 10 October 2011.  It's the second fire at the site in a month.  Another fire broke out on Sunday 25 September.

People living near the fire are being told to keep windows and doors closed and to stay out of the smoke.

Investigations are still going on into the cause of the fires, and while the cause of the second is not known, it's not thought the first was started deliberately.  It's thought the bales of waste plastics and clothes may have caught fire by themselves, but investigations into that are still going on.

Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue say they expect to be on site fighting the fire until at least Monday 24 October 2011.

Health advice

The Health Protection Agency have released the following advice for people close to the fire at the Black Bridge Farm Recycling Centre:

A spokesperson for the HPA East Midlands said "The advice to people in the area is to stay indoors, keep windows and doors closed and to tune into local media for further updates.

"The Fire and Rescue Service is on-site dealing with the fire and the other agencies involved will continue to monitor the situation and issue advice to the public, businesses and organisations affected as necessary.

"Because smoke consists of a mixture of gases, liquid droplets and solid particles representing the decomposition and combustion products from fires, it is only possible to issue general advice in relation to smoke from fires such as this"

The HPA East Midlands say

• People in areas affected by the smoke should remain indoors and keep their doors and windows closed.
• Drivers who have to travel through the smoke should keep windows closed, turn off any air conditioning and keep their air vents closed.
• Any smoke can be an irritant and as such, if people have to be outdoors, they are advised to avoid outside areas affected by any smoke or ash or to limit the time that they spend in them. If you grow fruit or vegetables, please ensure that these are washed well before eating.
• Some of the substances present in smoke can irritate the lining of the air passages, the skin and the eyes. Respiratory symptoms include coughing and wheezing, breathlessness, sputum (phlegm) production and chest pain.
• If symptoms occur, people should seek medical advice or call NHS Direct 0845 4647 or check nhsdirect.nhs.uk

Second Major Fire Strikes Recycling Centre