65 firefighters needed as flames engulf old factory site
Dozens of firefighters have tackled a huge blaze at an old factory.
Around 65 firefighters from 15 different fire stations battled the fire at the former GKN site at Crossfield Industrial Estate, Lichfield, last night.
The fire involved a warehouse storing in the region of 5,000 tonnes of baled waste – of which approximately ten per cent of this waste was alight.
Eight fire engines, along with an aerial ladder platform, a high volume pump and a control support unit were sent to the incident at around 7.22pm on Tuesday.
Director of prevent and protect at Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service, Glynn Luznyj said: “Crews were faced with a large area of baled waste inside the building on fire.
"Crews have worked with emergency services to surround the fire, bring it under control and have prevented a significant part of the building and its contents being involved.
“Firefighters have made excellent progress overnight and remain at the scene this morning, working hard to fully extinguish the fire.
A multi-agency group has been on site overnight working together to mitigate the impacts of the incident on surrounding areas including road and rail infrastructure and the businesses adjacent to the building.
"We are still advising local people to keep windows and doors closed, due to the smoke, as a precaution.
“We’re disappointed that this is fourth waste fire we have had in the county in the past 12 months. We had risk assessed this site and we were able to put into practise a robust multi agency plan which has limited the impact of the fire.”
The crews came from Lichfield, Loggerheads, Wombourne, Stafford, Tutbury, Codsall, Gnosall, Uttoxeter, Stone, Hanley, Burton-On-Trent, Cannock, Barton-under-Needwood, Tamworth and Chase Terrace.
At the height of the fire there were approximately 65 firefighters.
Three fire engines were still at the incident yesterday and an investigation into the cause of the fire has commenced.
