A fire at an industrial estate on the outskirts of Carlisle is still burning – eight days after it started.
Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service have today confirmed that the warehouse fire at Rockcliffe Estate on November 8 no longer requires direct firefighting as a proactive intervention.
The premises are now back in the hands of the site management team at North West Recycling.
The remains of the fire are still burning on-site in a controlled manner, with very low risk to local residents. Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service would advise that if the wind direction changes and smoke in the air is affecting local residents, they should keep their windows and doors closed.
The fire service said: “We would like to reassure residents that currently there is no evidence of asbestos in the atmosphere.”
Cumbria County Council’s Director of Public Health, Colin Cox, added: “The risk to the general public from a fire involving asbestos is very low. Where there is visible asbestos debris this should of course be removed by appropriately trained and equipped specialists, however, the risk of it being present in general soot and dust is low. The risk from burning plastic is also low given the generally low levels of exposure that people are likely to get.”
The controlled burn is estimated to smoke for several days to come, and Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service crews will be actively monitoring the site daily. Following this, a fire investigation will be carried out to establish the cause of the fire.
It was a combined decision between the fire and rescue service and the Environment Agency to allow the material to continue to burn as to extinguish it with water would create a greater and more significant environmental hazard due to the water run-off.
Fire crews will maintain a presence in the local area over the coming days and are carrying out routine safe and well visits to provide information and advice to local residents.
