Samantha Robinson
Q&A — WasteCare fire
That’s all from me — here’s a recap of the fire drama, in case you missed it:
What happened?
WasteCare, a waste management firm in North Dean Business Park, Greetland, Halifax, caught fire this morning.
Around 75 officers were called to the blaze off Stainland Road, with reports of explosions heard in the area. People were advised to keep their windows closed.
What does WasteCare do?
WasteCareWasteCare is a national company with 15 branches across the UK — its head office is in Leeds. It has premises in Halifax and Elland, and has more than 400 staff overall.
The company deals with commercial and industrial waste, and recycles more than 1, 000 different ‘waste streams’ according to its website.
When did it start?
The fire was reported at around 10.15am.
How long did it take to put out?
Firefighters had the fire under control by 1pm — although crews remain at the site to ensure it is safe.
Who was there?
West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue crews from Brighouse, Huddersfield, Halifax, Odsal, Mytholmroyd, Bradford, Mirfield, Fairweather Green, Cleckheaton and Illingworth, and West Yorkshire Police. Traffic, pedestrians and even our own reporter was led away from the area.
Being walked along the main road towards Halifax as I was told I couldn't stay any longer https://t.co/GPBxcWKePV
— Robert Sutcliffe (@MrRSutcliffe) Thu Dec 03 14:04:22 +0000 2015How did it affect the area?
Stainland Road was shut for both cars and pedestrians from its junction with Rochdale Road to Wakefield Road until 4.30pm, and due to the proximity of the business park to the Calder Valley rail line, train services have also been disrupted, with many cancelled or delayed. The road closure has also led to heavy traffic on Halifax Road.
Was anybody hurt?
Firefighters have confirmed that nobody was hurt in the fire.
What was the cause?
Fire investigation officers are trying to determine the cause of the fire, but a large quantity of dead batteries in the process of being recycled were involved.
"Exploding batteries" at #Elland fire. Jim Butters @West_Yorks_FRS Roads will open when gas main safe https://t.co/yzhx7syBGp
— Daragh Corcoran (@DaraghCorcoran) Thu Dec 03 14:23:17 +0000 2015What happens now?
Fire engines remain onsite with firefighters damping down and working alongside the owner to make the scene safe — it is believed firefighters will be at North Dean Business Park overnight.
The WasteCare The building was L shaped and one arm was destroyed by fire with significant structural damage.
Samantha Robinson
Stainland Road is now open!
Just got a call from the police — scrap the last update, they’ve opened the road!
Safe travels folks
Setting off home soon?
If you’re in the Greetland area, here’s the latest traffic news:
Queueing traffic and traffic heavier than normal on A629 Halifax Road inbound between Wistons Lane / Calderdale Way and A6026 Wakefield Road / B6112 Stainland Road.
Stainland Road still closed
Just spoke to West Yorkshire Police — Stainland Road is still closed, from the Wakefield Road junction to the Rochdale Road junction, and is likely to stay closed through rush hour and into the early evening.
Map of the current closure:
Here's the latest from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service:
Five fire engines remain onsite with firefighters damping down and working alongside the owner to make the scene safe.
The incident will shortly be scaled back to a three fire engine attendance.
This fire has involved a large quantity of batteries in the process of being recycled.
The building was L shaped and one arm was destroyed by fire with significant structural damage.
Firefighters prevented the blaze spreading to the other half of the building and surrounding industrial units.
No-one was hurt in the fire.
West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service worked alongside West Yorkshire Police, who dealt with traffic management, as well as other agencies including railway management and utility providers and the Environment Agency.
Fire Investigation Officers are currently investigating the cause.
Crews were faced with a significant blaze involving several explosions but worked effectively to bring it under control quickly and prevent it spreading to surrounding properties. It is likely that firefighters will remain at the scene throughout the night. — Incident Commander Jim Butters
Video: Smoke as seen from Skircoat Green
Yvonne Hilditch could see smoke from the WasteCare fire from her home in Skircoat Green:
Firefighter escort!
— Robert Sutcliffe (@MrRSutcliffe) Thu Dec 03 14:04:22 +0000 2015Tweet
Firefighters take water from canal - video
Fire crews busy taking water out of the canal to deal with the fire in West Vale https://t.co/rKliZ2BM4i
— Robert Sutcliffe (@MrRSutcliffe) Thu Dec 03 14:04:54 +0000 2015
Samantha Robinson
Traffic is still being diverted
The scene at Wakefield Road, Halifax, as traffic diverted away from the fire https://t.co/O4Hz127ttj
— Robert Sutcliffe (@MrRSutcliffe) Thu Dec 03 14:04:15 +0000 2015Trains still affected
CANCELLED: Due to a line-side fire 14:44 #WakefieldWestgate to #Huddersfield due 15:17 will be cancelled
— Northern Rail (@northernrailorg) Thu Dec 03 13:25:30 +0000 2015CANCELLED: Due to a line-side fire 13:31 #Huddersfield to #WakefieldWestgate due 14:09 will be cancelled
— Northern Rail (@northernrailorg) Thu Dec 03 13:25:51 +0000 2015Barry Sheerman calls for investigation
Urgent need for @EnvAgency full investigation into Wastecare's waste site & other sites in Kirklees such as Hunters in Newsome @Examiner
— Barry Sheerman (@BarrySheerman) Thu Dec 03 13:39:51 +0000 2015WasteCare fire — quick recap:
- The fire began around 10.15am
- Around 10 fire engines were sent to tackle the blaze, from across West Yorkshire, and used specialist apparatus
- Stainland Road has been closed to both cars and pedestrians, causing traffic to build up on Halifax Road
- The proximity of the fire to the Calder Valley line, which runs from Manchester Victoria to Leeds, has blocked the line — causing train cancellations and delays
- Buses have also been diverted
- The fire is now under control, no one was injured
Traffic update — queues on Halifax Road
Queueing traffic and traffic heavier than normal on A629 Halifax Road Westbound between Wistons Lane / Calderdale Way and A6026 Wakefield Road / B6112 Stainland Road.
The fire is now under control
Firefighters say the fire is now under control — the blaze involved batteries in the process of being recycled.
Fire investigation officers will try to determine the cause of the fire.
It's not all drama...
And just yards away a man walks his dogs along the canal oblivious to all the drama... https://t.co/f648Z6aVR5
— Robert Sutcliffe (@MrRSutcliffe) Thu Dec 03 12:45:05 +0000 2015
Lyn-da