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16 August 2024
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Major scrapyard fire in Great Blakenham most likely sparked by discarded battery, fire investigators conclude, Suffolk, UK
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Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service were called to the Sackers scrap metal and waste recycling centre in Great Blakenham north-west of Ipswich at around 09h57am on Thursday, 8 August 2024, to reports of a fire coming from a recycling bin. Eighty-five firefighters from both Suffolk and Essex fire services were sent to the scrap metal recycling yard near a railway line. Oxygen cutting cylinders at the scene had been safely removed by 4pm, a spokesman added. Fifteen fire crews were called to the fire including appliances from Ipswich East, Princes Street, Woodbridge, Framlingham, Felixstowe and Newmarket.
Incident commander Aeneas Postlethwaite said crews would remain on scene into Friday. Postlethwaite added, "We have currently scaled our resources back down from 14 appliances to eight.” Plumes of smoke could be seen from two miles away.
“This was a severe fire that required a large presence from the blue light services. We would like to thank our colleagues in Norfolk and Essex fire services, the police and ambulance services, the management and staff of Sackers, Network Rail, Mid Suffolk District Council, the Environment Agency, the Salvation Army and most of all the residents and local businesses affected for their patience and support while this incident is dealt with”, said Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service in a statement.
The fire was brought under control late on Thursday and Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service subsequently launched an investigation into the cause. This has established that the most likely cause was a battery which had made its way into a pile of scrap metal.
If batteries or electricals containing batteries, are not properly separated they can end up being crushed in the waste and recycling process. When punctured they can self-combust, setting fire to any surrounding dry and flammable waste and recycling.
Councillor Steve Wiles, Suffolk County Council Cabinet Member for Public Protection, said, “This was a major incident that caused massive disruption to a great many people and saw firefighters put themselves potentially in harm’s way as they bravely dealt with it. We all use batteries, we all benefit from them and therefore it is everyone’s responsibility to dispose of them safely. I would urge people to learn from this incident – please, when you get rid of a battery, do it properly.”
At the height of the Sackers fire there were a total of 14 fire engines - around 80 firefighters at the scene, which included appliances from Essex and Norfolk.
Local residents and businesses were advised to keep doors and windows closed for nearly 24 hours as a massive smoke plume, which could be seen for miles, rose above the site.
Trains were also severely affected as rail services from Ipswich to Norwich, Cambridge and Ely were cancelled owing to the potential danger from the fire to the adjacent railway track.
The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) said in May that lithium-ion batteries thrown in household rubbish bins had led to more than 1,200 fires in the UK waste system in the last 12 months, compared to 700 in 2022.
In June last year operations were disrupted at Haverhill waste transfer station in Homefield Road after fire broke out amongst 50 tonnes of rubbish and which is thought to have been caused by a battery.
Waste batteries and electrical items should never be thrown into household waste.
Instead, they can be recycled at any of Suffolk’s 11 Recycling Centres, as well as other local recycling banks. Many supermarkets also accept them.
Electricals containing batteries that tend to be discarded the most are smaller, frequently used and often cheaper electricals like toothbrushes, shavers, chargers, and toys.
Sources: Suffolk Fire and Rescue, ITV, BBC news
Incident commander Aeneas Postlethwaite said crews would remain on scene into Friday. Postlethwaite added, "We have currently scaled our resources back down from 14 appliances to eight.” Plumes of smoke could be seen from two miles away.
“This was a severe fire that required a large presence from the blue light services. We would like to thank our colleagues in Norfolk and Essex fire services, the police and ambulance services, the management and staff of Sackers, Network Rail, Mid Suffolk District Council, the Environment Agency, the Salvation Army and most of all the residents and local businesses affected for their patience and support while this incident is dealt with”, said Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service in a statement.
The fire was brought under control late on Thursday and Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service subsequently launched an investigation into the cause. This has established that the most likely cause was a battery which had made its way into a pile of scrap metal.
If batteries or electricals containing batteries, are not properly separated they can end up being crushed in the waste and recycling process. When punctured they can self-combust, setting fire to any surrounding dry and flammable waste and recycling.
Councillor Steve Wiles, Suffolk County Council Cabinet Member for Public Protection, said, “This was a major incident that caused massive disruption to a great many people and saw firefighters put themselves potentially in harm’s way as they bravely dealt with it. We all use batteries, we all benefit from them and therefore it is everyone’s responsibility to dispose of them safely. I would urge people to learn from this incident – please, when you get rid of a battery, do it properly.”
At the height of the Sackers fire there were a total of 14 fire engines - around 80 firefighters at the scene, which included appliances from Essex and Norfolk.
Local residents and businesses were advised to keep doors and windows closed for nearly 24 hours as a massive smoke plume, which could be seen for miles, rose above the site.
Trains were also severely affected as rail services from Ipswich to Norwich, Cambridge and Ely were cancelled owing to the potential danger from the fire to the adjacent railway track.
The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) said in May that lithium-ion batteries thrown in household rubbish bins had led to more than 1,200 fires in the UK waste system in the last 12 months, compared to 700 in 2022.
In June last year operations were disrupted at Haverhill waste transfer station in Homefield Road after fire broke out amongst 50 tonnes of rubbish and which is thought to have been caused by a battery.
Waste batteries and electrical items should never be thrown into household waste.
Instead, they can be recycled at any of Suffolk’s 11 Recycling Centres, as well as other local recycling banks. Many supermarkets also accept them.
Electricals containing batteries that tend to be discarded the most are smaller, frequently used and often cheaper electricals like toothbrushes, shavers, chargers, and toys.
Sources: Suffolk Fire and Rescue, ITV, BBC news
