Week-long Basildon recycling centre fire sees five firefighters go to hospital

-Credit: (Image: Essex County Fire and Rescue Service)
-Credit: (Image: Essex County Fire and Rescue Service)


Five firefighters went to hospital after attending a huge fire at a recycling centre that has only recently been completely extinguished. Fire crews have been working at the centre in Hovefields Avenue, Basildon, since the early hours of September 14.

At it's peak there were large numbers of firefighters with crews from Billericay, Canvey, Corringham, Grays, Leigh, Orsett, Rayleigh Weir, Southend and Wickford all in attendance. It's been scaled back as the fire was reduced, but it has taken a week for the fire to be completely extinguished.

An investigation into the cause of the fire continues, but Essex County Fire and Rescue Service do not believe it to have been started deliberately. At one stage the warehouse collapsed on top of roughly 5,000 tonnes of waste that was alight.

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Five firefighters went to hospital for a short period so that they could be checked over as a precaution. They were observed for a few hours before being given the all-clear and released.

Area Manager Craig McLellan said: “This was a drawn out incident that I’m pleased to say is now coming to an end. As many people already know, the reason it took so long to extinguish the fire was because the warehouse had collapsed on top of about 5,000 tonnes of waste that was alight.

"We also needed to tackle the fire in a slow and steady way as not to increase the smoke levels more than necessary. The on-site staff have been instrumental in their commitment to working with us to help extinguish the fire and we appreciate everything they've done.

"Our thanks once again go to the local community and businesses for their patience while we tackled this fire. Now the fire is out the smoke will also disappear. Five firefighters went to hospital as a precaution in the early hours of Saturday. They were checked over and observed for a few hours, but thankfully were given the all-clear.

"I am also pleased to share that as far as we are aware there have been no injuries or illnesses reported by residents to us or health partners that directly relate to the fire. Since the incident began we have worked really closely with partners to monitor the smoke, environmental and health issues and wider community support, and we’re grateful for everyone’s hard work.

"We expect this will continue to address any related clean up operations. You may see us in the area over the next couple of days and that will be due to routine and planned visits to make sure the site stays cool and safe."