Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 18th April 2024 Issue no. 1110

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800 tonnes of waste paper catches fire at SCA Hygiene in Chesterfield

Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service spent more than 24 hours over Tuesday and Wednesday this week, quelling a fire involving 800 tonnes of waste paper that was being stored in the yard of SCA Hygiene, Goyt Side Road, Chesterfield.

We understand that the fire, which sent a thick plume of ash drifting around the town, was reported at 12.38 on Tuesday and that to ensure that it was extinguished as efficiently and safely as possible, piles of waste paper that had not already caught fire were quickly removed from the site.

Darran West, Head of Environment for Chesterfield Borough Council, told Chesterfield Post reporters: "Residents living near the site of the fire should not have any concerns about health or pollution problems, as it is only ash from the burning paper that is falling down.

"However, if anyone does encounter any health concerns they should consult their GP.

"Chesterfield Borough Council will be sending road sweepers to the area to help remove the ash from pavements and return the area to normal as soon as possible."

Residents were asked to keep windows and doors closed where necessary.

SCA Hygiene Site Manager Jim Lang commented: "We would like to thank the Fire Service for its very prompt response to this incident. The safety of employees and nearby residents was our first priority and we can confirm all employees were safely evacuated from the site. Employees are now back at work as usual and there will be no disruption for our customers.

"SCA would also like to apologise to local residents for any concern this incident may have caused them. A full investigation will be carried out into the cause of the fire."

According to the Derbyshire Times, firefighters from Alfreton, Matlock, Chapel en le Frith, Heanor, Chesterfield, Clay Cross, Dronfield, Staveley and Bolsover were mobilised to attend the blaze, which began when a fork-lift truck caught fire and the flames spread to the compacted paper – as well as to near properties at the rear of the recycling plant on Walgrove Road. An ariel ladder platform and water carrier was used to keep the fire under control.

He said: “It was a serious blaze which was being fanned by the wind. Our main concern was that the flames were jumping and spreading so there was a threat to properties. It was an exhausting job but crews worked flat out to battle it.”

We understand that no-one was injured in the drama.

6th June 2013