Investigation underway following fire at landfill site

Investigations are underway to assess the cause of a fire at Hafod Quarry Landfill in Wrexham last week.

The fire, which started last Wednesday evening (27th May), was extinguished by North Wales Fire and Rescue Service (NWFRS) at the weekend following a multi-agency approach and has been closely monitored since to ensure the safety and wellbeing of local residents.

Industry and Waste Regulation Team Leader at NRW, Julia Frost said:

“This was a serious incident and NRW officers have continued to work closely with NWFRS following the fire.

“The cause of the fire will be investigated by NWFRS and NRW’s investigation will focus on environmental permit compliance leading up to the fire. The owners of the site, Enovert have provided NRW with an action plan detailing the work they have carried out on the infrastructure since the fire and the additional measures they have put in place to minimise the risk of future fires.”

Simon Bromley from North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said:

“We are working in conjunction with NRW to ensure large scale delivery of waste will not resume until we are satisfied that it is safe to do so.

“This will include ensuring any infrastructure damaged during the fire has been repaired and that measures are in place to minimise the potential of a repeat event, as far as is reasonably practicable.

“This fire put tremendous pressure on our resources for a protracted period, at a time when we are focusing on reducing demand - our aim is to ensure that everything is done to prevent a reoccurrence.”

The site will be reopening this week. However, initially this will only be for the acceptance of inert (non-flammable) waste which will be tipped in a different area on the site than that affected by the fire. This material will be used to improve landfill cover and minimise the risk of future fires. Full disposal activities will not commence until NRW is satisfied with the site’s Action Plan.

Anyone who may have any environmental concerns can get in touch with Natural Resources Wales by calling 0300 065 3000, which is open 24 hours day.