Residents urged to close windows

8:30pm Thursday 8th July 2010 in News Photograph of the Author By Lauren Pyrah, Deputy Business Editor

The scene of the fire PHOTO: Chris Booth The scene of the fire PHOTO: Chris Booth

FIRE crews were called in after a huge blaze broke out at North-East refuse plant this afternoon.

Thick black smoke could be seen across Darlington after a drilling machine and a pile of household waste caught alight at Albert Hill Skip Hire site, in Dodsworth Street, on St Nicholas Industrial Estate, in the Albert Hill area.

One crew from Darlington was initially called to tackle the fire after the alarm was raised at 3.12pm, with another from the town and two from Bishop Auckland joining them at 3.23pm.

On arrival, fire fighters discovered two plant vehicles had also caught alight.

Police and the environmental protection unit from Darlington Fire and Rescue also attended, along with officers from Darlington Borough Council.

One onlooker said: "There were emergency services everywhere and the sky was filled with plumes of black smoke."

At 7.30pm police issued a message to local residents.

"Although the fire is still burning, the fire brigade have the blaze under control," a Durham Police spokesman said.

"There are presently no road closures in place, although emergency services would urge all members of the public to stay clear of the general area to allow the fire brigade to extinguish the blaze and make the premises safe.

"Residents are requested to close all windows and doors for their own convenience due to the amount of smoke that is presently being dispersed from the premises."

Comments (7)

11:07am Fri 9 Jul 10

stevegg says...

This is not the first time this has happenned on this site. There have also been complaints regarding noise, dust and late night working. This sort of activity should not be allowed in the middle of a built up urban area surrounded by housing. Certainly wouldnt be tolerated in the West end who have no industrial sites whatsoever.
This is not the first time this has happenned on this site. There have also been complaints regarding noise, dust and late night working. This sort of activity should not be allowed in the middle of a built up urban area surrounded by housing. Certainly wouldnt be tolerated in the West end who have no industrial sites whatsoever. stevegg

8:18am Sun 11 Jul 10

vicky1975 says...

It is still causing local residents issues four days on. It is now sunday morning and after 4 days of smoke filled streets and the smell. This is simply not good enough. We cant open windows or let let the children play in the garden as it is that bad. This needs a full and thorough investigation, especially when it has been one of the warmest weekends this year.
It is still causing local residents issues four days on. It is now sunday morning and after 4 days of smoke filled streets and the smell. This is simply not good enough. We cant open windows or let let the children play in the garden as it is that bad. This needs a full and thorough investigation, especially when it has been one of the warmest weekends this year. vicky1975

1:28pm Sun 11 Jul 10

fredbateman says...

This fire/smoke has be continual now for 4 days. I like to know if anyone can guarantee that there are no toxic substances in this smoke such as Dioxin, heavy metals, acids, benzopyrene that is common with waste fires. Also why haven't our emergency services put the fire out?
This fire/smoke has be continual now for 4 days. I like to know if anyone can guarantee that there are no toxic substances in this smoke such as Dioxin, heavy metals, acids, benzopyrene that is common with waste fires. Also why haven't our emergency services put the fire out? fredbateman

11:02am Mon 12 Jul 10

melwilson says...

fredbateman wrote:
This fire/smoke has be continual now for 4 days. I like to know if anyone can guarantee that there are no toxic substances in this smoke such as Dioxin, heavy metals, acids, benzopyrene that is common with waste fires. Also why haven't our emergency services put the fire out?
because the fire is so big that it is very difficult to put out just like that, it's going to take some time. The mound of rubbish was absolutely huge.
Environmental protection came out within a couple of hours so if it was toxic, we'd know by now and we'd have been evacuated probably
[quote][p][bold]fredbateman[/bold] wrote: This fire/smoke has be continual now for 4 days. I like to know if anyone can guarantee that there are no toxic substances in this smoke such as Dioxin, heavy metals, acids, benzopyrene that is common with waste fires. Also why haven't our emergency services put the fire out?[/p][/quote]because the fire is so big that it is very difficult to put out just like that, it's going to take some time. The mound of rubbish was absolutely huge. Environmental protection came out within a couple of hours so if it was toxic, we'd know by now and we'd have been evacuated probably melwilson

1:45pm Mon 12 Jul 10

Browsing says...

Although I recognise that fires seem to be all too frequent in this part of town and the authorities including the HSE should be more proactive in stopping these occurences, I think it should be remembered that industry was first on Albert Hill not residents. When deciding to build houses close to industrial areas people should be aware of the possible consequences.
Although I recognise that fires seem to be all too frequent in this part of town and the authorities including the HSE should be more proactive in stopping these occurences, I think it should be remembered that industry was first on Albert Hill not residents. When deciding to build houses close to industrial areas people should be aware of the possible consequences. Browsing

4:10pm Thu 15 Jul 10

hobbles says...

If i remember rightly industry and houses were built on Albert hill and also sprinfield areas at about the same time originally many years ago in the days before recycling, and these were effected by the cloud of smoke not only this time but what about five years ago, and when is it going to happen again. As living in the springfield, haughton area all my
50 odd years we never used to have this trouble even with the old factories around so why should we have it now
If i remember rightly industry and houses were built on Albert hill and also sprinfield areas at about the same time originally many years ago in the days before recycling, and these were effected by the cloud of smoke not only this time but what about five years ago, and when is it going to happen again. As living in the springfield, haughton area all my 50 odd years we never used to have this trouble even with the old factories around so why should we have it now hobbles

7:30pm Thu 15 Jul 10

Assurance says...

Hmmmm..just as the residents finally persuaded the Council that the cattle mart had to move, so can the resident persuade the Council that their should be no waste disposal sites operating within the built-up area.
I lived across the river from the Albert Hill site, in Inglewood Close, for several years, and they were a pain in the butt then, aparently even more so now..time for them to move out too.
Hmmmm..just as the residents finally persuaded the Council that the cattle mart had to move, so can the resident persuade the Council that their should be no waste disposal sites operating within the built-up area. I lived across the river from the Albert Hill site, in Inglewood Close, for several years, and they were a pain in the butt then, aparently even more so now..time for them to move out too. Assurance

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