Brighton waste centre wrecked by fire
Monday 13th July 2009
A waste recycling centre remains closed today after fire engulfed the building. The centre in Wilson Avenue, Brighton, was wrecked after it caught light on Saturday evening. An investigation has been launched to investigate the cause but Sussex Police last night said there were no signs it had been caused by arsonists. Smoke from the site, which is run by Veolia on behalf of Brighton and Hove City Council, could be seen from miles away as the fire took hold. A council spokesman said:
“We would ask people to be patient while we investigate what has happened. “If people need to urgently use the recycling facility we would ask them to use the one in Old Shoreham Road instead.”
It is not yet known how long the centre will have to remain closed. Council officials are expected to visit the site to assess the damage again today. East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service received 20 999 calls when the fire started just before 6.30pm on Saturday, Crews from Preston Circus, Roedean and Hove were at the scene first and found the waste hall building well alight.
The blaze was out shortly before 10pm but firefighters stayed at the scene for the rest of the night and throughout Sunday morning to make sure the area was safe. A spokeswoman said:
“They needed to keep turning all the material over to make sure everything was properly out so there was no risk of the fire re-igniting.
“A large quantity of waste was destroyed and the building it was in was damaged. “We are investigating the cause of the fire as a matter of routine.”
Crews from Seaford, Uckfield, Newhaven and Lewes as well as two from West Sussex were brought in to provide cover. Lee Craig, who lives opposite the site, said:
“I noticed the smoke first and then when I went out to look I could see the building was well alight. “People were stopping their cars and getting out to take a look. “The smoke was really thick. “The police and firefighters closed off both ends of the road to stop any traffic going through but there were still a lot of people around watching. “I went to take another look on Sunday morning and you can see how badly damaged the building is. I don't think it will be opening for a while yet. “There were also bits and pieces of debris from the fire scattered about in the fields.”
It is the second time there has been a fire at the site. In February 2006 the waste hall caught alight, causing hundreds of thousands of pounds of damage.
Chemical alert shuts Brighton tip
Friday 26th June 2009
Binmen had to be taken to hospital after a mystery chemical alert at Brighton’s new £10 million waste centre. The Hollingdean waste transfer centre was closed and the area around it was sealed off after three men became ill. Emergency crews immediately shut the site and tried to determine exactly what caused the scare. They yesterday ruled out any danger to the public from the site.
The trio of City Clean workers – one driver and two operatives – were taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital with breathing problems at around 1pm yesterday. It is believed that two of the men were discharged yesterday afternoon but the other was kept in for tests and monitoring.
The dump, near Hollingdean Road, is run by waste firm Veolia, which is under contract with Brighton and Hove City Council and East Sussex County Council.
Fire crews do not know what caused the breathing problems but confirmed that it was not due to a chemical leak. A deodoriser that is used to mask the smell of the rubbish was originally blamed but was later found to be non-hazardous. Veolia said the site would be open for business this morning and that the closure yesterday would not affect recycling collections.
But union officials last night spoke of their concern that the cause of the incident had still not been identified. Mark Turner, the branch secretary for GMB, which represents 300 City Clean workers, said:
“Until they have done tests on the individuals involved then no one knows what the actual reaction is but it is concerning.
“We are concerned that the chemical that caused it has not been identified.
“We want to get to the bottom of this as it does not just effect council staff but also Veolia staff that work there eight hours a day, six days a week.
“If there is a substance out there that is not good for the body then that is concerning.”
Officials confirmed that staff had reported symptoms of burning throats and shortness of breath to City Clean management on Wednesday but that nothing was done before staff came in for work yesterday. One staff member, who did not want to be named, said:
“They went to the manager when their throats were burning and they were short of breath but they went back in there the next day.
“They raised the issue with the management on Wednesday but they had not done anything about it and the staff were back in this morning.
“One of them collapsed in the manager’s office.”
The situation has been reported to the Health and Safety Executive The Hollingdean Road site employs 30 Veolia staff. Mr Turner estimated that around 100 to 150 City Clean staff work at the site dropping off waste from their collections. Hollingdean residents fiercely opposed plans to build the controversial dump, which became fully operational in September 2008.
The Dump the Dump group campaigned against the waste transfer and recycling centre, arguing that it would smell and affect nearby houses and Downs Infants School. A spokeswoman for Veolia said: ''The incident was attended by the emergency services concluding that the site could continue to operate as normal. “We will be conducting an internal investigation in line with normal procedures.'' Brighton and Hove City Council confirmed that bin collections would be unaffected by the temporary closure.
A spokesman said:
“The waste transfer station is run by Veolia Environmental Services on behalf of the council.
“Veolia will be investigating in line with their normal procedures, and the matter is being reported to the Health and Safety Executive.
“We can confirm that three of our staff working at the waste transfer station were taken to hospital earlier today after complaining of feeling unwell. We very much hope they get well soon.
“Emergency services have attended and declared the site safe to continue to operate as normal.”
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