Update: Disruption to bin collections likely after waste site blaze

Disruption to bin collections in North Kirklees is likely to occur after a blaze at a household waste site.
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Fire crews were called to Thornhill Transfer Station in Weaving Lane in Dewsbury just before 2pm yesterday.

Hundreds of tonnes of household waste were burning at the Kirklees Council site, sending thick plumes of smoke into the air.

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The council has now closed the site and said that because its vehicles will now have to travel further to empty the wagons there will be a knock on effect on collections.

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This may lead to some collections taking place later than usual.

Kirklees Cabinet Member Coun Naheed Mather said: “The fire at Thornhill has been brought under control thanks to the hard work of the local fire service, and thankfully nobody was injured in the fire.

“A full investigation into the cause of the fire will take place and once the extent of the damage is known, plans will be put in place to ensure the service returns to normal as soon as possible.

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“Our waste collection teams will be working hard to ensure there is minimum impact on residents, but if you do experience delays please be patient and know that our crews are working hard to make sure your waste is collected as soon as possible.”

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The council has asked that residents leave their bins out.

Bulky waste collections and commercial waste collections are also likely to be affected, the council said.

The site includes both a household waste recycling centre and a waste transfer station.

The majority of refuse and recycling wagons in North Kirklees use the site to tip waste from their collections.

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It is then collected and taken to the right treatment facility.

Residents who usually use the Weaving Lane site will be able to use others in Nab Lane, Birstall, and Emerald Street, Huddersfield.

A spokesman for Cleckheaton Fire Station said that around five pumps remained at the Dewsbury site this morning

Five pumps and an aerial appliance were initially dispatched yesterday to help bring the fire in a single storey building under control.

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Around 40 per cent of the building, which is approximately 160sqm in size, was alight.

As the scale of the task became clear, ten pumps and another aerial appliance were on hand to tackle the blaze.

In the region of 60 firefighters were involved at one stage, with support teams also on site.

Efforts initially focused on stopping the fire spreading to offices and nearby buildings.

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Investigations into the cause and the extent of the damage started today, led by the contractor SUEZ.

The council said every effort will be made to get things back to normal as soon as possible.

Video by Krzysztof Kita.