Work is continuing to extinguish a fire that started almost a month ago.
Multi-agency partners (including Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, Cumbria County Council, Carlisle City Council and the Environment Agency) are working closely to bring the incident at Rockcliffe Estate safely to a close.
Work has continued to retrieve the waste from within the structure of the building, extinguish it and safely dispose of it, and as a result, has generated additional smoke in the short term.
A spokesman for Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service said: “We would like to assure local residents that this was anticipated but required in order to progress with the safe clearance of the site. Residents are advised to keep all windows and doors closed whilst this work is carried out as a precautionary measure.”
Colin Cox, Cumbria County Council’s Director of Public Health said: “An assessment carried out early into the incident identified the risk to health from any air pollution as very low. However, due to the ongoing smoke in the area, air quality levels will be affected.
“The advice from public health remains the same, residents in the surrounding area who are affected by the smoke should keep any windows and doors closed. Any residents with any concerns about their individual health should contact their GP Practice or NHS 111.”
John Bunn, Cumbria Waste Team Leader at Environment Agency said: “We have supported the combined decision between the fire and rescue service, local authority and the Environment Agency to allow the material to continue to burn rather than extinguishing it in the immediate phase with water which, due to the circumstances of the incident would have been ineffective and would create a greater risk of environmental hazard due to the water run-off.
“The current tactic agreed to retrieve the waste from the building, extinguish and safely dispose of it is the best course of action to safely extinguish the fire.”
John Beard, Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service’s Chief Fire Officer said: “We would like to thank the public for their patience and understanding whilst we bring this incident safely to a close. We understand the additional smoke in the surrounding area is not pleasant, however, the multi-agency team are doing their utmost to safely extinguish the fire whilst minimising the impact on the local community.”
This incident will be constantly kept under review and monitored to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the local community. Fire crews will also maintain a presence in the area, carrying out routine safe and well visits to provide information and advice to local residents.
