Bickershaw waste plant blaze under investigation
5:42pm Tuesday 5th March 2013 in North West
A firefighter dampens down smouldering waste.
A BLAZE broke out at a waste disposal and recycling site.
Around 25 firefighters were called to Blakeley's Waste Management in Bickershaw Lane, Bickershaw, in the early hours of Monday when 76 tonnes of waste caught fire in an 8,000 square metre building.
Nearby residents were advised to close their windows and doors as a precaution due smoke.
Hindley Station Manager Kev O'Connor said: "We were dealing with a deep-seated reclamation fire in one of the buildings.
"Crews did an excellent job in managing the water by laying the large hose line tightly to the curb - minimising disruption to traffic and local residents. The dirty run off water was also contained which helped protect local water courses and wildlife.
"They also managed to protect the main office which was just 30ft away from the fire so we were able to put the fire out without causing too much disruption to business continuity."
Blakeley's General Manager Graeme Knight said: "The fire service were on the scene within minutes and the fire in the construction and demolition building was brought under control rapidly.
"The fire was managed, controlled and contained within the building and the materials involved were non-hazardous. We are very pleased with the actions of the fire service."
Nobody was injured during the blaze but a firefighter suffered a minor ankle injury.
The cause of the fire will be investigated.
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