Fife waste facility fire: MSP seeks review of operations after significant blaze

The significant blaze broke out at the Lower Melville Wood recycling centre at Ladybank on Tuesday, and firefighters were still at the scene on Thursday.

While the cause of the fire has yet to be made public, Willie Rennie, MSP for Norh East Fife, has written to its operators asking for a review of its operations.

He has contacted Cireco, which manages the site on behalf of Fife Council, to review its operations. Large quantities of waste are typically stored at the site for a short period before being transported for further processing. Mr Rennie wants to explore whether reducing the volume on site at any given time may reduce future risks, and whether health advice for local people needs to be updated.

The Lid Dem politician said: “This was an alarming incident for people across North East Fife, but especially for those living in Ladybank and near the site.

“It is important to recognise that thanks to the response of staff at the site and the ongoing work of the Fire and Rescue Service there have been no reported casualties because of this fire. However we need to make sure that the appropriate lessons are learned from this major event and that steps are taken to prevent anything similar from happening again.” “I have written to Cireco which manages the site to ask for assurances regarding any ongoing risks to people’s health and a review of advice provided to those living near the site. I have also suggested a review of the site’s operation and have requested an assessment of whether the large volumes of waste stored at the site may have contributed to this risk of a large-scale fire.

“It is also important to understand the impact that the fire will have on local recycling services. I have asked for an update on whether other centres in Fife will be able to absorb additional demand and whether their opening hours could be extended.”

Mr Rennie also appealed to the public to take extra care in following the appropriate advice when disposing of potentially dangerous items such as vapes and batteries.

In its latest update Fife Council said the waste transfer and processing facility is closed while the response continues.”

It said: “We understand this has been a worrying incident for residents and disruptive for people travelling through the area or trying to use Ladybank Recycling Centre.

Smoke is still coming from the site as the fire is brought under control, residents should continue to keep windows and doors closed if they can see or smell smoke.” Bin collections are currently going ahead as planned and people should continue to present bins and bulky uplift items as normal. Ladybank Recycling Centre area is unaffected and will reopen as soon as the fire is out and safe access can be reinstated. The opening hours at Cupar recycling centre have also been extended in response.

That move was welcomed by Cupar and district councillors, Margaret Kennedy and John Caffrey.

Cllr Kennedy said: “The impact from the fire has created a necessity to close the recycling centre due to the fire still continuing to burn. It is anticipated that the fire service will be on site dealing with this through the weekend, and I am grateful to the emergency services for their professional and proactive response to this incident.

“As a result of the temporary closure of the Ladybank recycling site I had requested that the Cupar site could be opened for more days than its current three days per week - Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. I am delighted to receive confirmation that my request has been agreed to and that Cupar will be open all seven days albeit the booking system will remain in place.”