West Midlands Fire Service spent the night fighting a fire which engulfed a plastics recycling factory at the Tyseley Industrial Estate in Birmingham.
The blaze, which broke out yesterday afternoon (10 August), is said by the fire service to involve plastics recycling company Webb G W (Plastics) Ltd.
[gallery_placement]The fire service says seven fire engines, two hydraulic aerial platforms, a high-volume water pumping unit and around 35 firefighters remain at the scene.
Crews continued to make good progress throughout the night, the fire service says. This morning they are still identifying and extinguishing hotspots.
Fire investigators have been at the scene overnight and say their inquiries into the fire’s cause continue.
People nearby are urged to keeps doors and windows closed while smoke remains in the area. All local roads are now open.
West Midlands Fire Service says it expects to have a presence at the scene for much of the day.
The scene this morning at #TyseleyFire. Read more: https://t.co/xuk74pcSAJ pic.twitter.com/k3ao4ejdvy
— West Midlands Fire Service (@WestMidsFire) August 11, 2020
‘Significant incident’
Assistant chief fire officer Sarah Warnes, the incident commander, said: “This has been a significant incident, to which our crews have responded safely, effectively and assertively.
“In spite of extremely hot and arduous conditions, they have drawn on their skills and professionalism to ensure that the fire has been contained to the one site, saving nearby premises from harm.
“This has been a significant incident, to which our crews have responded safely, effectively and assertively”
“As well as 20 fire crews we have also had a number of specialist resources at the scene, including our hazardous materials specialists and a high-volume water pumping team.
“I would also like to acknowledge the efforts of our partners from many other agencies, with whom we will be working tirelessly throughout the night to bring this incident to a safe conclusion.”
Thick smoke
West Midlands Fire Service says it started to receive multiple 999 calls to a severe fire on the Tyseley Industrial Estate, Birmingham, at 4.47pm on 10 August. Dozens of people for miles around who spotted the plume of thick, black smoke which rose from the fire are said to have phoned the fire service.
As of 9pm that evening, 100 firefighters were tackling the incident at the plastics recycling factory on Seeleys Road.
Twenty fire engines attended the scene, together with hydraulic aerial platforms and a specialist high-volume water pumping unit.
Crews had to work extremely hard in challenging conditions. Some firefighters had to be withdrawn from certain areas of the incident for safety and to minimise the risk of heat exhaustion.
A plan has been put in place for the safety of crews and to ensure that they get adequate rest and hydration.
Plastic
Webb G W (Plastics) Ltd is now known as Webb Plastic Recycling Limited. The company was contacted for comment by letsrecycle.com.
Webb Plastic Recycling is a family recycling business established in Birmingham in 1961. It describes itself on its website as industry specialists and one of the largest purchasers of scrap plastic in the UK. Webb Plastic Recycling says it caters for all organisations, from SMEs to blue chip companies.
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Source: letsrecycle.com Plastic
