WASTE - 30.03.2020

Poor storage led to fire

Huge blaze

In June 2014 approximately 45 firefighters from South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) were called on to fight a fire at a recycling centre. The operation cost around £566,000, involved water being pumped from a nearby reservoir, and required so many resources that seven additional fire engines were borrowed from a neighbouring region.

The fire took hold in an area where 7,000 tonnes of wood chippings were stored. It was difficult to extinguish as there was a lack of fire breaks between the large piles of wood.

Previous warnings

Five weeks prior to the fire breaking out another fire had ignited. Following the first fire, R Plevin & Sons (P) was told by the Environment Agency (EA) to reduce the size of its stockpiles as there was a high risk of self-combustion. The company failed to follow the EA’s advice and it is believed the piles were between 18 and 20 metres high when the fire broke out.

Note. Self-combustion occurs in stockpiles of wood chips, sawdust, compost and general waste due to biological and chemical processes in anaerobic conditions which cause a rise in temperature. If heat generation is sufficient the stockpile will spontaneously combust.

Pollution

At the height of the fire the smoke could be smelt 16 miles away. Water used to extinguish the fire became contaminated and entered two lagoons located on the site and found its way into a dyke leading to the River Don.

A local sewage treatment plant also had to close when ammonia levels soared to ten times the permitted level. According to Yorkshire Water, which operates the treatment plant, the cost of shutting the facility was £45,000.

Failure to act

Even after the fire was extinguished, P failed to take the appropriate steps to prevent pollution being caused by the contaminated water. The company also failed to follow EA advice to reduce the size of the stockpiles, with only 11% of them compliant three months after the incident occurred.

Tip. There is a requirement for a fire prevention plan to be in place if you have a permit to store combustible waste such as wood (see The next step ). This must specify the maximum size of stockpiles, separation distances, site layout, emergency procedures, etc. If you have a fire prevention plan, ensure that it’s implemented and update it regularly.

A costly mistake

The company pleaded guilty to operating in breach of a permit and causing a polluting discharge which was not in accordance with a permit. It was fined £200,000 with costs of £30,000. The judge commented that had the EA chosen to prosecute the directors involved, they would have received prison sentences if convicted.

For an environmental fire prevention plan, visit http://tipsandadvice-environment.co.uk/download (EN 14.10.04).