Fire at Penallta Recycling Plant Extinguished Following a Multi-Agency Response
At approximately 3:13pm on Wednesday the 1st of September 2021, we responded to reports of a large scale fire at a recycling plant in Penallta Industrial Estate in Hengoed.
Firefighters were deployed to the scene to tackle the fire involving approximately 200 tonnes of machinery and recycling materials including plastics and metals.
Due to the scale of the fire, the materials alight continued to smoulder and crews worked in partnership to strategize and decide a course of action.
The Service’s Urban Search and Rescue teams were also on the scene to provide support and lighting for crews and partner agencies working overnight.
A range of specialist equipment including aerial ladder platforms, high volume pumps and numerous fire appliances were utilised to help tackle the fire and secure the area.
Officers from Natural Resources Wales (NRW) worked alongside our firefighters to reduce the risk to the environment and prevent flooding to nearby properties.
This morning (Friday 3rd September 2021) shortly after 9:00am, a stop message was received and it was confirmed that the fire had been extinguished. As a safety precaution, residents nearby were asked to keep their windows and doors closed due to an accumulation of smoke in the area, this measure has now been lifted.
Station Commander for South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Mark Kift, said:
“Multiple crews from various Stations in the South Wales area attended the scene and upon arrival were faced with a well-developed fire. Crews worked tirelessly to tackle the fire and utilised their training and a range of resources to prevent the fire from spreading and affecting other areas.
As of this morning (Friday, September 3rd 2021) our firefighters are no longer in attendance at the scene of the incident and thanks to a combined multi-agency operation, we were able to contain and extinguish the fire.
The clean-up process is now underway and we would like to remind local residents that the recycling plant remains closed at this time and to follow any guidance from NRW and Public Health Wales regarding the surrounding area.
Anyone who may have any environmental concerns, please contact NRW on 0300 065 3000, which is open 24 hours day.”
Natural Resources Wales are continuing to work on a number of measures to help minimise the impact of pollution to the local environment.
David Letellier, Duty Tactical Manager for Natural Resources Wales said:
“Our officers have been on site at the Penallta Industrial Estate in Caerphilly to support South Wales Fire and Rescue Service and work with our partners to reduce the risk to the environment and local community following the outbreak of the fire on Wednesday afternoon.
Working with partners, our officers have put a number of measures in place to help minimise the impact of pollution to the local environment.
These include placing bunding and matting in the Nant Cylla, a tributary of the river Rhymney, and absorbent booms and pads in local water courses to absorb any oil and petrol run off from the site.
Whilst the recovery and clean operation take place, we’re asking people to avoid contact with the water in the Nant Cylla and nearby water courses due to oil and petrol in the water.”
The site will remain closed as a precaution to allow for a full clean-up operation and to ensure that the area is made safe.
Crews would like to thank the local community for their patience and support whilst they carried out their work.