Firefighters are spending a second week tackling a deep-seated fire at a waste site in West Yorkshire.
The fire broke out at the site in Dewsbury on 7 February, and has been smouldering away ever since. The combination of the sheer quantity of waste, difficult access as the site is located near banking to a river, and the proximity of homes and commercial premises has made it a protracted and delicate operation.
West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service have been working with the Environment Agency and Kirklees Council, who are removing some of the waste to provide better access to the seat of the fire.
“A large rubbish fire may appear trivial but due to its location, and in the interests of public safety, we have had to be there around the clock,” said deputy chief fire officer Steve Beckley. “Hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of lifesaving equipment may be tied up for weeks but we will be there supporting the local community for as long as it takes.”
Three fire engines and an aerial appliance are typically there each day.
Mr Beckley paid tribute to his staff for working long hours in dirty and difficult conditions, and also praised the Environment Agency and Kirklees Council for their help in removing some of the waste and finding a temporary holding area.
“If we couldn’t move excess rubbish and work more effectively we could be there for months,” he added.
