I have today met with representatives from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service, the Environment Agency, Cannock Chase District Council and Staffordshire County Council regarding the ongoing situation at Oak Tree Farm, Slitting Mill. This follows on from discussions with Chief Fire Officer, Becci Bryant, earlier in the week. I stressed to all involved the need for the fire to be extinguished ASAP.
All agencies are on site throughout the day and I have been informed that a tactical Coordinating Group has been set up, comprising all relevant agencies in order that a coordinated approach can be carried out to tackle the fire. In addition Public Health England and the Health & Safety Executive are being consulted and specialist fire teams from other parts of the country, with particular expertise in this sort of fire.
At the meeting today I put numerous questions to the agencies, covering most of the key issues sent in by constituents.
Below is a list of questions and answers to date. There was also more information provided that could not be shared publically as it could affect any ongoing investigations. I hope residents can understand that some of the information discussed could not be put into the public domain until any investigations are concluded.
I pointed out that there has been insufficient information released to the public and more information needs to be made available at regular intervals. I therefore welcomed news that the authorities are addressing the need for more communication with the public and I will post any information on my website and social media. A letter drop will also take place in the immediate area surrounding the fire, over the coming days. Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service has announced there will be a public meeting at Rugeley Community Fire Station at 7pm Monday 19th September, to which all residents are welcome.
Yesterday I raised the fire in the House of Commons with the Rt Hon David Lidington MP, Leader of the House of Commons. This afternoon I have also spoken to Brandon Lewis MP, Minister of State at the Home Office for Policing and the Fire Service.
I am sending out regular updates direct to local residents concerned about the fire. If you wish to be included in this circulation please contact my office on 01543 877142 or email [email protected].
FAQ
What exactly is being burnt, is it known what exactly is in the fire?
There is an estimated 400 tons of waste set alight. The waste at the site is predominantly shredded wood.
Why was the site allowed to continue to burn waste after a prosecution?
The site had been served a clearance notice, a notice to stop waste importing and a notice to stop burning before the fire took place. So this activity should not have taken place and the site should have been cleared of material.
Why has there been conflicting advice about whether or not windows and doors should be closed?
The agencies state their advice has always been to keep windows and doors closed. The waste involved is not believed to be toxic and the general multi-agency advice for fires of this type is for people living within the area affected by the smoke plume to stay indoors with windows and doors shut and to see your GP with any specific concerns or ill health.
Why has there been so little public information released?
The agencies accept that more information could have been released, however as the situation was continuing to develop it was difficult to keep everybody informed up to date information. A leaflet drop will be undertaken to addresses nearest the fire over the next few days.
Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service has announced there will be a public meeting at Rugeley Community Fire Station at 7pm Monday 19th September, to which all are welcome.
Were the animals in close proximity checked, have they been inhaling toxic fumes, or are they likely to be a source of food? For example cows.
The Fire Service have checked the smoke with their own equipment. Cannock Chase District Council is trying to get specialist equipment onsite as soon as possible to sample the air. All relevant agencies are aware of the situation are coordinating their activities to monitor animals in the area.
Are any crops exposed to the smoke safe for consumption?
It is believed that there are no crops in the area affected because of growing cycles. Some seed planting in the area has been suspended.
What dangers are there to the public from inhaling the smoke? Especially for those more at risk of breathing related difficulties?
Like all smoke it will contain particulates, however it is not believed that there is a cause for public concern, other than the nuisance from the smoke.
What checks, and how frequently, were carried out on the air?
The Fire Service have checked the smoke with their own equipment and Cannock Chase District Council is trying to obtain specialist equipment onsite as soon as possible to sample the air.
Are toxicity levels being checked in the local water courses?
The Environment Agency will carry out checks as appropriate. The site is near to two active bore holes used for public drinking water, so they are monitoring this closely.
Why is it taking so long to extinguish the fire?
The fire service initially tried to carry out accelerated burns on some of the waste, allowing it to burn safely. Part of the waste was also extinguished, however this was on fire again after several hours. The tactic then changed to continue to mound soil and contain the fire. As stated, water could not be used because of contamination concerns. The sheer volume of water needed to extinguish the fire would cause considerable run off.
The Fire Service intend to use a specialist solution which they have sourced. It will allow the fire to be extinguished without run off from the site. The fire will be sprayed and then the extinguished material removed with specialist equipment from JCB. This will be repeated on layer after layer of waste until the fire is out. This process will take several days. Once the Environment Agency give permission for it to be used it will be applied, hopefully starting tomorrow morning.
Why was there such a delay in the fire service starting the soil mounding to contain the fire?
The Fire Service say they started mounding the soil immediately and initially some of the waste was extinguished, however as the situation changed over several days the diggers were used numerous times on successive days.
How many checks/inspections have taken place at this site on other waste activity?
The site has been inspected by all relevant authorities several times and the site was issued with several notices, as listed in previous questions.
Since the first and last prosecution of the landowner, how many complaints have been received about him and what action has been taken regarding them?
Up until the current fire there were no public complaints since the last prosecution.
Has the recent rain caused any run off into the water table/stream, if so what are the implications and what measures are being taken to protect the residents, animals and ecosystem?
While we considered the rain fall heavy, the volume of water had little to no effect on the fire and the rain fall turned to steam from the heat. There would not have been any run off.
What investigations is the site operator subject too?
The site is now subject to several parallel investigations. Previously the site was issued with various waste and fire notices as detailed on other questions.
What could have been done to prevent the fire?
The site has been inspected by all relevant authorities several times and the site was issued with several notices, as listed in previous questions. The site was subject to an order to clear the waste and a notice not to burn waste.
Are checks being carried out in the area to assess what damage has been caused and the possible long term effects to the ground and local ecology?
Checks by the Environment Agency are ongoing, they are also in contact with South Staffordshire Water who operate several bore holes in the local area.
What deterrent does a financial prosecution provide given the site has already been subject to two prosecutions?
This situation raises interesting issues about rogue waste handlers. I will be investigating what laws can be changed to bring in much tougher sentencing in such cases, including making it easier for such land to be seized by the local authorities to prevent this type of environmental crime. The local authorities are also looking at what other powers they can use to tackle this issue in the future.