Extinguished After a Week: Basildon Recycling Centre Fire Finally Out

After nearly a week of continuous efforts, the fire at a recycling centre on Hovefields Avenue, Basildon, has been successfully extinguished, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service confirmed.

Area Manager Craig McLellan provided details on the closure of this challenging incident, “This was a drawn-out incident that I’m pleased to say is now coming to an end. The warehouse’s collapse on top of about 5,000 tonnes of burning waste compounded the difficulty of extinguishing the fire. We had to tackle the fire slowly to avoid excessive smoke.” McLellan expressed gratitude towards on-site staff whose collaboration was crucial in managing the fire.

“Our thanks once again go to the local community and businesses for their patience while we tackled this fire. Now that the fire is out, the smoke will also disappear,” McLellan added.

During the early response last Saturday, five firefighters were sent to the hospital as a precautionary measure but were later given the all-clear.

Source : Youtube – Essex County Fire & Rescue

McLellan further reassured that no injuries or illnesses related to the fire have been reported by residents or health partners. The firefighting team, in collaboration with local partners, has been diligently monitoring environmental and health impacts, with continued efforts expected to manage any necessary cleanup operations.

Residents might still see fire service personnel in the area over the next few days conducting routine checks to ensure the site remains safe and cool.

While the investigation into the fire’s cause is ongoing, there is currently no evidence to suggest it was deliberate.

The fire initially reported last week saw a significant response from multiple fire crews who worked alongside site staff to manage and eventually extinguish the blaze. Updates from Area Manager McLellan have highlighted the progressive efforts to deconstruct parts of a warehouse to better tackle the underlying fires.

With the persistence of smoke, local residents had been advised to keep windows and doors closed, and motorists were cautioned about reduced visibility on the A127.

“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,” McLellan stated earlier this week, underscoring the ongoing complexity of the operations.

The firefighting operations at the site are expected to continue under observation, with further updates to be provided as necessary.

As the community begins to return to normalcy, the incident serves as a reminder of the hazards associated with recycling center operations and the importance of stringent safety measures.

Source: Essex County Fire & Rescue