Ladybank fire: residents urged to limit time outdoors eight days after £1million blaze
Fife Council’s leader has pledge a full investigation into the cause of a major fire at Ladybank recycling facility fire as people living nearby are told to keep windows and doors closed and limit their time outdoors - eight days after the blaze.
The health advice from NHS Fife comes as firefighters remain at the scene of the blaze which caused over £1million of damage at the Lower Melville Wood site. They have got the deep-seated household waste fire under control, but are expected on site for some time to come, with changing wind directions sending smoke a “significant distance.”
The fire involved recycled material and waste spread across an area measuring approximately 200m by 300m. At the height of the incident, the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service (SFRS) had 12 appliances, 60 firefighters, and specialist resources at the scene.
There were no reported injuries, and the fire is not being treated as suspicious, but it is the subject of an investigation by environmental watchdog the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).
Councillor David Ross, leader of Fife Council, paid tribute to the emergency services.
He said: “This has obviously been a very serious fire. I’m pleased that SFRS is reporting significant progress and hope the incident will be closed soon.
“It’s been reassuring to see confirmation from NHS Fife and SEPA that the risk to public health is low. However, I understand the impact that smoke and smells have had on local communities since last week as the wind has blown the plume in various directions. I have every sympathy with residents affected by this and by the traffic disruption.” He said fires at waste sites were becoming “more common” around the country, and added: “There will be a full investigation into the cause of this fire, and I look forward to understanding if there is anything more we can do to mitigate risks.”
NHS Fife has advised residents living near the scene to limit the time they spend outdoors. It said there was no indication of any long-term health effects for the wider public at this stage, and issued general advice.
A spokesperson said: “These measures help reduce exposure to smoke, which can cause irritation to the eyes and throat, coughing and other symptoms.
“Some people, particularly those with existing respiratory conditions such as asthma or COPD, may be more affected by smoke. It is important that anyone who relies on inhalers or other medication continues to carry and use these as prescribed.
“Anyone experiencing symptoms as a result of smoke exposure should seek medical advice from local healthcare services as they would ordinarily, or contact NHS 24 on 111.”
Police have re-opened a stretch of the A92 between Melville Lodges and Ladybank following the blaze, and put in place a temporary speed restriction of 30mph between Ladybank and the Melville Lodges roundabout.
Ken Gourlay, chief executive of Fife Council, described the damage as “extensive.”
He added: “Unfortunately with the conditions on the site, the fire took hold and drafted across waste piles. The recycling equipment has gone, £1m of equipment has gone. A lot of it has buckled under the heat.”
The local authority confirmed that its household waste recycling centre – across the road from the site – has not been damaged by the fire, but it remains closed because road access has been restricted by smoke and emergency service activity, and it is also currently without power. Cupar Recycling Centre is to be fully opened seven days a week until Ladybank can re-open.
Acknowledging speculation on the cause of the fire, the council chief said nothing had been determined.
“There has been quite a fair bit of speculation about batteries but we have not had that confirmed,” he said. “There is going to be a review undertaken on the cause and recovery.”
A call for a summit has also come from Willie Rennie, MSP for North-East Fife.
Cireco, which operates the site on behalf of Fife Council, has also spoken following the fire.
Robin Baird, chief executive officer, said: “We operate well within the operational capacity for the site. We take the safety of staff across all our sites very seriously and follow all relevant legislation. Any concerns raised by staff are looked into and acted upon, as required.”
SEPA has also confirmed it will investigate the cause of the fire to make sure “potential impacts on the environment are minimised.”