One fire engine remains at the site of a waste fire that has been burning in Newhaven in East Sussex for four days, despite the Fire Brigades Union going on strike today (9 December).

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service was first called to the waste site on North Quary Road at 10.30am on Friday (5 December), after receiving reports of a fire at the Skip It Containers waste station.

At the height of the incident, eight fire engines, an aerial ladder platform and a water carrier were working to extinguish around 200 tonnes of compacted household waste that was due to be exported to Germany for incineration. No hazardous materials – such as tyres or asbestos – were involved.

The fire service said that as the material was ‘stacked high’ and the fire was ‘deep seated’, it would ‘take time to deal with’.

Over the weekend, large plumes of smoke could be seen across swathes of the Lewes District, as crews excavated the waste and doused down any flames. However, just one fire engine now remains on site to dampen down waste. This is despite the fact that members of the Fire Brigades Union began a 24-hour strike at 9am this morning as part of the ongoing dispute with central government over pensions. (East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service said that contingency crews will be on duty today to respond to ‘emergencies’ but there will be ‘reduced levels of cover’. It has also issued a plea for members of the public to take ‘extra care’ on the roads, and at businesses to reduce the risk of fire during the strike.)

Firefighters are now working alongside staff from Skip It Containers to clear the waste, which remains smouldering and burning in parts.

Additionally, crews are working to ensure they reduce the chances of water pollution through water running off the site. The Environment Agency is monitoring the nearby watercourses, but has said that ‘at this stage environmental impact is considered minimal’.

As smoke is still affecting the local area, nearby residents are being advised to close doors and windows as a precaution. However, the fire service has assured the public that the smoke is not toxic.

‘Working to resolve this situation as soon as possible’

Chief Fire Officer Des Prichard said: "We been working on site with staff from the business, drawing the waste out, damping it down and ensuring it is moved from the fire. We can't just put water on the pile as it will not get through to the seat of the fire. There is also a great deal of water on the site, which we need to deal with carefully so as to minimise any possible damage the environment."

Prichard also thanked the British Red Cross, which has been providing fire support.

Site operators Skip It Containers also issued a statement, saying: "We recognise that people are concerned about this fire and the smoke affecting the local area.

“Our firm is very much part of the local community, with many of our staff living in the area, and we would like to take this opportunity to thank them for the hard work they have put into dealing with this incident.

“We would like to reassure the public that the waste involved is compacted, baled household waste, due to be exported to Germany where it would have been burnt in an incinerator. This business is regulated and tests for chemicals are regularly carried out.”

The company added that it was working with the fire service and relevant bodies to “resolve this situation as soon as possible”.

Waste site fire guidance

The waste industry has encountered an increasing number of waste site fires in recent years, with the average rate of fires at waste and recycling works coming in at just under one per day.

In an attempt to prevent fires from occurring, the Waste Industry Safety and Health (WISH) Forum issued new guidance last month to help waste site operators reduce fire risk.

Endorsed by the Chief Fire Officers’ Association (CFOA), and developed with input from the Environment Agency (EA), the Environmental Services Association (ESA), the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the Health and Safety Laboratories (HSL), and other bodies, the guidance outlines how best to safely manage the storage of materials susceptible to combustion.

The Operations Director of the CFOA, Roy Wilsher, said that the guidance was “hugely useful”.

Find out more about the problems of waste site fires, or follow East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service on Twitter to receive up-to-date information on the Newhaven fire.