Fire at recycling centre
Update: Tuesday 24 September, 3pm
A fire investigation has been carried out and the cause has been recorded as accidental.
Update: Friday 20 September, 3.45pm
Almost a week after a fire broke out at the recycling centre fire in Hovefields Avenue, Basildon, fire officers have confirmed the fire is now out.
Area Manager Craig McLellan said: “This was a drawn out incident that I’m pleased to say is now coming to an end.
"As many people already know, the reason it took so long to extinguish the fire was because the warehouse had collapsed on top of about 5,000 tonnes of waste that was alight. We also needed to tackle the fire in a slow and steady way as not to increase the smoke levels more than necessary. The on-site staff have been instrumental in their commitment to working with us to help extinguish the fire and we appreciate everything they've done.
“Our thanks once again go to the local community and businesses for their patience while we tackled this fire. Now the fire is out the smoke will also disappear.
“Five firefighters went to hospital as a precaution in the early hours of Saturday. They were checked over and observed for a few hours, but thankfully were given the all-clear.
“I am also pleased to share that as far as we are aware there have been no injuries or illnesses reported by residents to us or health partners that directly relate to the fire.
“Since the incident began we have worked really closely with partners to monitor the smoke, environmental and health issues and wider community support, and we’re grateful for everyone’s hard work. We expect this will continue to address any related clean up operations.
“You may see us in the area over the next couple of days and that will be due to routine and planned visits to make sure the site stays cool and safe.”
Fire Officers will continue to investigate the cause of the fire but at this stage there is no reason to suggest it is deliberate.
Update: Wednesday 18 September, 8.20am
Crews and on-site staff are continuing to make progress to extinguish the recycling centre fire in Hovefields Avenue, Basildon.
Area Manager Craig McLellan said: "Steady progress is being made to deconstruct a warehouse around the burning material to allow crews and on-site staff to move and extinguish it.
"Smoke is still being produced, so please keep your doors and windows closed if you live nearby and take extra care on the A127."
We expect work to continue for at least five more days.
We are in regular contact with the agencies to monitor the smoke and wind direction, and we will let residents and businesses know if our advice changes.
Advice from UK Health and Security Agency:
- Any smoke can be an irritant. If people need 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.
- Motorists who have to travel through the smoke should keep windows closed, turn off air conditioning and keep their air vents closed.
Update: Monday 16 September, 2pm
Area Manager Craig McLellan has provided an update from the scene, which you can watch below.
Update: Sunday 15 September, 8pm
Firefighting operations are expected to continue in Hovefields Avenue, Basildon, for at least five more days.
During the daytime, crews are working with on-site staff to break up and extinguish piles of recycling materials. Crews are also keeping a watching brief at the site overnight.
A large amount of smoke will be produced as firefighting operations continue.
If you live or work in the area, you may see the smoke and notice the odour. The risk is minimal but we would advise you to keep your doors and windows closed, and to take extra care on the A127 alongside the site due to the risk of smoke blowing across the carriageway.
We are in regular contact with the agencies to monitor the situation. In addition, we are monitoring the wind direction. We will let residents and businesses know if our advice changes.
We would like to thank residents and businesses for their patience while we bring this incident to a safe conclusion.
Advice from UK Health and Security Agency:
- Any smoke can be an irritant. If people need 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.
- Motorists who have to travel through the smoke should keep windows closed, turn off air conditioning and keep their air vents closed.
Update: Sunday 15 September, 8am
Two crews remained at the recycling centre in Hovefields Avenue, Basildon overnight to keep the fire under control.
Three crews will work with on-site staff through the day to continue to extinguish the burning piles of materials.
This will produce large amounts of smoke, so please continue to keep your doors and windows closed if you live in the Basildon area, and take extra care on the A127.
Update: Saturday 14 September, 1.30pm
We are expecting large amounts of smoke in the area of the incident in Hovefields Avenue, Basildon over the next few days.
Station Manager Nick Singleton said: "Crews are making good progress but the incident is creating a lot of smoke. This will be the case over the next few days, so please bear with us while we bring in the incident to safe conclusion.
"The wind direction keeps changing so please keep your doors and windows closed if you live in or around Basildon. Also, take extra care on the A127, which runs along the site in question, because smoke is blowing across the carriageway."
Four crews are at the scene, working with on-site staff to pull apart and extinguish piles of recycling.
Update: Saturday 14 September, 9am
The incident has been scaled back to five crews, however we expect to remain on scene throughout the weekend.
Group Manager Steve Wintrip said: "Site staff are using a digger to move and break up the recycling so our crews can
extinguish it.
"This will be a long process and we expect to be on site for at least another 48 hours.
"It will also continue to create a lot of smoke, so we would urge residents in Basildon and Wickford to keep doors and windows closed."
Update: Saturday 14 September, 6.20am
Crews are continuing to make good progress in tackling a fire at a recycling centre in Basildon.
Group Manager Dave Bond said: "Residents and motorists in the area will see large plumes of smoke over the next few hours as crews continue to extinguish the fire.
"Please keep your doors and windows closed. Take extra care on the roads, but avoid the area if you can."
Crews are tackling a fire at a recycling centre in Basildon.
We were called to Hovefields Avenue today (14 September) at 1.15am and two crews from Basildon attended.
They found a unit approximately 50 metres by 40 metres, including warehouses and about 15 vehicles, fully alight and ten additional crews were requested.
Crews from Billericay, Canvey, Corringham, Grays (two), Leigh, Orsett, Rayleigh Weir, Southend and Wickford, and two Aerial Ladder Platforms, are at the scene.
Area Manager Craig McLellan said: "Crews are working extremely hard with site owners to remove vehicles and cylinders from the scene.
"We ask people to avoid the area while crews work to extinguish the fire."
Due to smoke in the area, anyone living near the incident is advised to keep their doors and windows closed, and motorists using the A127 between the Nevendon interchange and Rayleigh Spur roundabout are urged to take extra care.
