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?

WasteCare
WasteCare

WasteCare 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.

How 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.

What 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.


READ MORE: Firefighters likely to stay at WasteCare site overnight after huge fire in Greetland


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Stainland Road is now open!

Just got a call from the police — scrap the last update, they’ve opened the road!

Safe travels folks

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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.

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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:

Stainland Road closure
Stainland Road closure (Image: GoogleMaps)
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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

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Video: Smoke as seen from Skircoat Green

Yvonne Hilditch could see smoke from the WasteCare fire from her home in Skircoat Green:

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Firefighters still at the scene — but it's winding down

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Traffic update:

Queueing traffic and traffic heavier than normal on A629 Halifax Road inbound between Wistons Lane / Calderdale Way and A6026 Wakefield Road / B6112 Stainland Road

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The train line is still closed:

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'Exploding batteries'

BBC Leeds reporter Daragh Corcoran shared this video:

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75 officers involved, says fire chief

Seventy-five officers were involved from across West Yorkshire in bringing this fire under control. Ten fire engines and two aerial appliances were involved. We were fortunate in being able to extract water from the canal close by. A specialist fire investigator is looking into the cause of the blaze. — Huddersfield Station Commander Mick Davis

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Fire pictures from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service

Fire at WasteCare, North Dean Business Park, Halifax
Fire at WasteCare, North Dean Business Park, Halifax (Image: West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue)
Fire at WasteCare, North Dean Business Park, Halifax
Fire at WasteCare, North Dean Business Park, Halifax (Image: West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue)
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Do you work at North Dean Business Park?

We’d love to speak to you — call 01484 437719 or email contact details to SamanthaRobinson@trinitymirror.com and we’ll give you a call.

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Pictures from the scene

Our photographer’s pictures are in - take a look:

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Firefighter escort!

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Firefighters take water from canal - video

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Traffic is still being diverted

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Trains still affected

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Barry Sheerman calls for investigation

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WasteCare 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
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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.

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We're still here...

...and we’ll keep you posted on traffic and travel as things (hopefully) return to normal.

We should have some more pictures for you soon.

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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.

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It's not all drama...

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Firefighters at the scene

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Video from the fire (or as close as we could get)

Both Robert and our photographer are struggling to get close enough to see what’s happening — but here’s what he could film:

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Uh-oh...

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We’ve been told there’s dense fog at the site, made worse by smoke, and firefighters are pumping water from the Calder and Hebble Canal to use on the flames.

The Calder and Hebble Canal off Station Road, Mirfield looking toward Station Road.
The Calder and Hebble Canal off Station Road, Mirfield looking toward Station Road.
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Map of Stainland Road closure

Stainland Road is closed from Heath RUFC to the next junction — here’s a map showing the closed section (the green marker is WasteCare):

Map showing closure of Stainland Road
Map showing closure of Stainland Road (Image: Googlemaps)
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More train woes

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