Residents told to 'keep windows closed' after Elstow fire
A fire specialist advised crews to be the first to try the "innovative tactic" of spraying expanding foam on Sunday, but it had "limited effect" because of where the fire had taken hold.The building has been declared structurally unsafe, meaning workers and emergency teams could not put water directly on the fire.
Areas including Wixams, Shortstown, Hayes and Houghton Conquest were affected by the smoke, the fire service said.In a statement on Wednesday, it said: "As the forecasted temperature continues to rise over the coming days, the agencies involved have reviewed the current situation and the advice to residents remains the same; to keep their windows and doors closed if affected by smoke."Anyone with severe respiratory concerns should contact their GP or call 111, and those with existing respiratory conditions are advised to minimise their exposure."It also issued advice suggesting people open windows on the opposite side to the plume or smoke "when it is safe to do so".
Group Commander James West explained: "Waste fires are inherently difficult and complex incidents to resolve and rarely are concluded as quickly as we would like."The safety of the nearby residents, responders and on-site staff is paramount throughout an incident such as this, and we would like to thank those impacted for their continued patience and cooperation."
Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sky News
3 hours ago
- Sky News
Firefighters tackle huge blaze involving 20 tonnes of tyres
Homes have been evacuated as firefighters tackle a huge blaze involving 20 tonnes of tyres in West Bromwich. The West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) has said four factory units on Great Bridge Street are involved in the blaze but there have been no injuries. The WMFS initially said it was dealing with a fire involving a single-storey factory, measuring approximately 100m by 100m, after it was called at around 10.40am on Sunday morning. Images show a huge black plume of smoke billowing from the site, with firefighters tackling the flames from aerial ladder platforms. Fifteen fire engines were sent to the scene, with a high-volume pump which used water from a nearby canal brought into help put out the blaze. West Midlands Police co-ordinated the evacuation of several homes on nearby Elwell Street as "a precaution", the WMFS said. The fire service has been working with police to ensure "local residents affected by the evacuation, and businesses, are kept safe". A structural engineer has been at the scene of the fire due to structural concerns and a partial collapse in one area. The engineer will "make an assessment", the WMFS said. Gas and electricity engineers have been at the scene to isolate affected supplies where possible, the fire service added. The cause of the fire has not yet been reported. WMFS said in an update on Sunday: "Some fire investigations have taken place, with further investigations expected tomorrow (Monday), when it is safe to do so. "Regular multi-agency briefings are taking place and we expect to continue to remain in attendance for some time." WMFS said at around 10pm on Sunday that local residents who had been evacuated were "expected to be able to return to their homes shortly". However, people living in the area were still advised to keep their doors and windows closed due to the huge amount of smoke in the area. WMFS said it has been supported by representatives from National Grid, Severn Trent, the Environmental Agency and Sandwell Council in its response to the blaze.
BBC News
4 hours ago
- BBC News
Closures planned to move pump after A421 flooding in Bedfordshire
Work to move a pumping station that flooded, causing a major road to become completely submerged, is entering its final phase.A section of the A421 in Bedfordshire was closed for nearly three weeks after torrential rain in September.A number of road closures will be in place during the summer as engineers move the pump system uphill. What happened to the A421? One of the key east-west routes linking the M1 near Milton Keynes to the A1 near Cambridgeshire was closed for three weeks in September after severe levels of up to 8ft (2.4m) were recorded on the stretch at Marston Moretaine, and National Highways teams cleared 72 million litres of equipment was used to clear the water - the equivalent of about 30 Olympic-sized swimming pools - before work began to resurface and repair the Fellows, regional director for National Highways, said: "I think it's important to recognise the disruption and inconvenience this issue has caused to drivers, local residents and those that rely on this section of road." Why did it flood so badly? Firstly, the region experienced extremely heavy rainfall in a very short space of time. In Bedfordshire, a month's worth of rain fell in under 46 and schools were closed and homes and businesses the A421, the pumping station at Lower Shelton - designed to prevent the road from flooding - became submerged and stopped could not remove the rising water, which settled like a lake under a bridge and across a significant stretch of carriageway. What is happening to the pumping station? National Highways decided to move the pumping station to a higher position to avoid the risk of future flooding."Relocating the pumping station to higher ground and the installation of a new pump will help prevent emergency road closures on the A421, benefiting road users and the local community," said Simon Amor, head of scheme began in February to replace the control system, which involved building new foundations further up the bank.A temporary safety barrier was erected on the eastbound entry slip road to allow the work to be carried out. What road closures are in place this summer? As workers install the new control system, a slip road onto the A421 will be closed to allow them to operate eastbound entry slip road at Marston Moretaine will be closed from 20:00 BST on Monday, 28 July through to 06:00 on Thursday, 31 same section will be closed during the same hours from Monday, 4 August to Thursday, 7 wanting to enter the A421 eastbound from Beancroft Road are asked to travel westbound along the A421 towards the M1 junction 13, then turn and head back in the easterly signs will be in Highways said once this phase is complete, they will need to close the A421 eastbound carriageway "to allow for safe removal of old equipment".This date will be confirmed nearer the time. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
16 hours ago
- BBC News
Public urged to halt bonfires after Lacock thatch blaze
Firefighters are urging people to take garden waste to a recycling centre this summer after a Grade II listed building was nearly destroyed by flying embers from a thatched home at Bowden Hill near Lacock, Wiltshire, caught fire on Monday after the owners of the property lost control of the bonfire, which then set light to a and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) deployed 55 firefighters and 13 engines at the peak of the blaze, and managed to save the building's ground said the blaze "highlights how easily bonfires can get out of control, especially during a prolonged spell of dry weather". It added: "Please avoid having bonfires to burn your garden waste and consider taking it to your local recycling centre instead." The service has also issued guidance to help avoid a repeat incident, including keeping any bonfire well away from buildings, fences, trees and garden structures, having a garden hose to hand, and not lighting a bonfire on a windy day in case it flares up more than expected. Homeowner Beth Collins told the BBC that firefighters had gone "above and beyond" when tackling the blaze and had managed to save most of the family's said the bonfire had gotten out of control so quickly "you don't have much time to think about it"."You think where is all that smoke, where are all those flames from? I thought it was just a fire in the garden. Someone came hurtling down the road and said 'your thatch is on fire'," she said.
