Latest news with #Monoworld
BBC News
14 hours ago
- Climate
- BBC News
Warehouse fire in Rushden was like a horror movie, say residents
People living near a large warehouse that caught on fire more than two weeks ago said the incident was "like a horror movie". The blaze at Monoworld in Rushden, Northamptonshire, led to a major incident being declared on 23 May, with 15 crews dealing with the fire at its from a large quantity of burning plastic at the recycling site on the Sanders Lodge industrial estate could be seen for the fire being extinguished the same day and the site handed back to the owners, North Northamptonshire Council advised those living nearby to wash homegrown food and clean shoes earlier this week. 'Never seen smoke like that' The Monoworld warehouse sits behind Sue Pettit's garden and she said the fire was "pretty alarming"."It was very black, very thick smoke very high. It did look like a horror movie," she 78-year-old added the fire meant she and her husband had to stay in the house."They told us to keep their doors and windows shut and so there was no point in coming into the garden," she husband Roy added: "The smoke kept me out in the garden for a couple of days. I didn't come out here at all."The 81-year-old added: "I've never, ever seen or experienced smoke like that in the whole of my life."It was jet black, thick and it was rising straight up and then it suddenly turned 90 degrees and came across the bungalow."He said the couple had "taken all the precautions that we were advised to" by the fire service and then the council. 'We were lucky' Eleanor Seers also lives near the industrial estate and has spent 25 years working on her garden, including growing her own fruit and said: "I just grow enough for me and my husband. It's lovely to walk out and pick your own produce."The 74-year-old said she was out walking her dog on the morning of the fire about the time it broke out and "could see the smoke".When she returned home, she added, "I could see the flames behind [the smoke, that is] how near it was".Ms Seers was worried the flames, smoke and debris would damage her garden."It would have been [lost] because it's 25 years of work. We were lucky," she said. 'Common-sense approach' North Northamptonshire Council said the advice it gave to wash homegrown food and clean shoes was "precautionary".In a statement the authority said: "In conjunction with our partner agencies, we have suggested some short-term actions, as a reminder, of general advice in what is a low risk, temporary situation – a number of which would be seen as a common-sense approach when dealing with home-grown produce for example." Rushden warehouse fire: A timeline 23 May 06:30 BST: Fire breaks out at at the Monoworld recycling site23 May 11:45: Major incident declared with 15 fire engines tackling the blaze23 May 16:30: Major incident stood down but firefighters remained on site27 May: Businesses on the industrial estate were allowed to reopen30 May: Fire service said the fire was accidental and likely caused by a battery4 June: Residents issued advice by North Northamptonshire Council to wash homegrown food and clean shoes Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
4 days ago
- General
- BBC News
People in Rushden told 'wash food and shoes' after Monoworld fire
People living near a warehouse engulfed by fire nearly a fortnight ago have been told to wash homegrown food and clean Environment Agency (EA) has agreed "limited activities" can now take place at Monoworld in Rushden, Northamptonshire, where a major incident was declared on 23 from a large quantity of burning plastic at the recycling site on the Sanders Lodge industrial estate could be seen for advice to clean produce and outdoor footwear - as well as garden furniture and cars - was issued by North Northamptonshire Council. A spokesperson for the authority said: "Air quality has improved, and residents are no longer advised to keep doors and windows closed."They added that monitoring of local watercourses had not revealed "any adverse impacts" on water or wildlife "as most of the fire water run-off was contained on site or diverted to foul sewer". What is the advice? The council has told gardeners and allotment holders towash hands thoroughly after working and before handling foodremove and clean outdoor shoes before going insidewash produce thoroughly under a running tapremove outer leaves of vegetablesclean smoke residue from garden furniture and carsIt said anyone who experiences breathing difficulties should contact their doctor or dial 999. On Wednesday, the council said the EA was now allowing "limited activities" at Monoworld "as long as the company remains compliant with their environmental permit, working practices, and it remains safe to so".The incident has now been closed by the fire service. Parts of the industrial estate not affected by the blaze "remain operational". Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Industrial estate reopens after warehouse fire
Businesses on an industrial estate have been allowed to reopen after a huge fire at a warehouse. A major incident was declared at Sanders Lodge in Rushden, Northamptonshire on Friday as 15 crews tackled a blaze at the Monoworld recycling site. Access roads were reopened on Sunday afternoon but Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service said a crew remained at the site to damp down any hotspots. It advised people to keep doors and windows closed due to lingering smoke and to leave if levels became too high. A post on social media said: "If, due to the wind direction, properties are affected by smoke, businesses are advised to monitor and risk-assess the situation accordingly as to whether they stay or vacate their premises." Group commander Jim Dorrill told the BBC it was the largest blaze to happen in the county in a decade but there were no reports of any injuries. Smoke from the site could be seen from several surrounding counties, including Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Roads remain closed after recycling site fire Major recycling warehouse fire tackled by crews Watch: Thick smoke billows from industrial estate As it happened: Live reports from Rushden recycling fire Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service Northamptonshire Police
BBC News
27-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Rushden industrial estate reopens after recycling site fire
Businesses on an industrial estate have been allowed to reopen after a huge fire at a warehouse.A major incident was declared at Sanders Lodge in Rushden, Northamptonshire on Friday as 15 crews tackled a blaze at the Monoworld recycling roads were reopened on Sunday afternoon but Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service said a crew remained at the site to damp down any advised people to keep doors and windows closed due to lingering smoke and to leave if levels became too high. A post on social media said: "If, due to the wind direction, properties are affected by smoke, businesses are advised to monitor and risk-assess the situation accordingly as to whether they stay or vacate their premises."Group commander Jim Dorrill told the BBC it was the largest blaze to happen in the county in a decade but there were no reports of any from the site could be seen from several surrounding counties, including Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Daily Mail
23-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Firefighters rush to massive warehouse blaze as enormous plume of smoke is seen 10 miles away and businesses are evacuated while tons of plastic waste burn
Firefighters have rushed to the scene of a massive warehouse blaze where plumes of smoke can be seen billowing for 10 miles. Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) was called to the inferno at Monoworld recycling centre on the Sanders Lodge Industrial Estate, Rushden, Northamptonshire, just before 6.30am today. Ten crews arrived on the scene and evacuated staff from the warehouse while tackling the fire which is said to involve 'a large quantity of plastic'. The fire service also deployed three turntable ladders, two water bowsers and a high-volume pump. Residents as far away as Stotfold, Harrold and Sharnbrook in Bedfordshire have reported seeing the smoke in the air. An NFRS spokesperson posted to X: 'We're currently dealing with a large fire at a recycling warehouse on Sanders Lodge Ind Est in Rushden. Crews were called shortly before 6.30am. 'On arrival found a fire involving a large quantity of plastic at the premises. Building was evacuated prior to our arrival. 'We currently have 10 fire engines on scene, as well as three turntable ladders, 2 water bowsers & a high-volume pump. Ten crews arrived on the scene and evacuated staff from the warehouse while tackling the fire which is said to involve 'a large quantity of plastic' The fire service also deployed three turntable ladders, two water bowsers and a high-volume pump We are receiving cross border support from [Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service] in dealing with this incident, and we anticipate we will be on scene for the rest of the weekend. 'A section of Wellingborough Road near the warehouse is closed, and due to the large smoke plume coming from the blaze, we are asking people nearby to avoid the area and keep their windows and doors closed.' A Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson added: 'There is a large incident in Rushden (Northants) and smoke can be seen from the Harrold and Sharnbrook areas. 'If you see smoke, there's no need to ring 999 - emergency services are aware and are dealing with the incident.' One person replied to the post on X saying they could 'see the smoke from Stotfold' - around 30 miles from Rushden.
