Fire at MID UK’s Caythorpe recycling centre

Fire crews from across Lincolnshire have been tackling a blaze at a Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) in Caythorpe, after a fire broke out at the site just after midnight this morning (18 October).

The MRF, owned by waste management company Mid UK Ltd, is one of the largest in the UK and has the capacity to process up to 80,000 tonnes of co-mingled dry recyclables (CDR) per annum.

Reports suggest that the fire broke out in a 100m x 50m single storey building containing mixed recycling material.

A spokesperson for Mid UK Ltd declined to comment.

The building in question is reported to be extensively damaged, though its contents are not thought to be hazardous. However, nearby residents have been advised to keep their windows and doors shut, in order to avoid potentially harmful fumes.

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue have released a statement saying:

“Six appliances are still in attendance at a recycling factory fire in Caythorpe that started overnight. The fire has caused severe damage to machinery and recycling materials, but crews are making steady progress against it. Two main jets, two hose reels, and two BA in use as well as the high volume pump, hose layer and water carrier.”

The fire is the latest in a series of blazes, which have plagued recycling sites in Lincolnshire.

Last month (14 September), large quantities of scrap metal and plastic were destroyed in a blaze at an engine recycling yard, in Bourne, belonging to metal recycling company BW Riddle.

The fire, remnants of which remained alight for three weeks, was deemed safe to extinguish earlier this month (5 October) following a consultation with the Environment Agency (EA) and their health and safety advisors.

Fires at recycling sites are relatively common, due in part to the combustible nature of the materials being processed. MRFs are particularly susceptible to fire as a result of the large quantities of paper they process.

September this year (2012) waste company Forceshift (Contracting) Ltd and its owner were fined £26,000 for illegally burning waste at the company’s waste transfer station in Boston, Lincolnshire.