Yahoo News 'Emergency meeting' called by concerned residents after huge blaze causes black smoke and foul smell
Residents have arranged an emergency meeting after a huge blaze engulfed a recycling centre in Huyton.
Emergency services were called to the scene of an industrial fire at a recycling centre on Wilson Road in Huyton on Tuesday evening. Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service worked tirelessly through the night to get the blaze under control, with 10 fire engines called to the scene.
Black smoke and a foul smelled plagued the area and was reported by people from miles across Merseyside. Due to the scale of the fire it led to Knowsley Council issuing a public safety warning, advising residents to keep their doors and windows closed.
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And many residents are still reporting on the foul smell and breathing difficulties due to the black smoke today. The ECHO understands an emergency meeting with residents in Sefton and Kirkby was arranged for this evening after people's concerns over air quality.
MFRS reported today that multiagency meetings have taken place between MFRS, Merseyside Police, Environment Agency, Knowsley Council, Environmental Health, the Link Site Manager, Manager of Mainsway, as well as a request for United Utilities and the site’s responsible person to attend.
Actions have been agreed by all agencies and a tactical plan shared. and The Environment Agency has taken actions to investigate the air quality.
It is also understood the responsible person for Link Recycling has provided a JCB digger and Operator to assist with firefighting operations by dismantling the large external waste pile.
And while a lot of the fire crews have now withdrawn there is still damping down and hot spotting with high pressure hose reels taking place as well as main jets, ground monitors, and an aerial appliance at the scene.
Knowsley Council has also issued a fresh update about the ongoing operation in Huyton and the impacts to local residents. The local authority was forced to temporarily close the Impact on Centre for Independent Living health service and also told residents bin collections would be delayed. Additionally, Merseyside Police issued a notice via their @MerPolCC X account, formerly Twitter, of temporary road closures on Wilson Road, Huyton.
In terms of the concerns of residents about the health implications of the smoke clouds, Knowsley Council said it has sought advice from Public Health officials who have assured them the smoke is not harmful, but acknowledge the deterioration of air quality and the presence of an 'unpleasant odour' in the area.
A spokesperson for Knowsley Council said: "We are working closely with Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service and other agencies in the aftermath of the fire this morning and will continue to share advice and updates to residents.”
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