Firefighting operations at Basildon recycling centre continue

Activity at Hovefields Avenue is expected to continue for at least five days

Author: Jon BurkePublished 16th Sep 2024

Firefighting operations are expected to continue on Hovefields Avenue, Basildon, for at least five more days.

It's after a fire at a recycling centre.

During the daytime, crews are working with on-site staff to break up and extinguish piles of recycling materials. Crews are also keeping a watching brief at the site overnight.

A large amount of smoke will be produced as firefighting operations continue.

If you live or work in the area, you may see the smoke and notice the odour. The risk is minimal, but the fire service advises you to keep your doors and windows closed and to take extra care on the A127 alongside the site, due to the risk of smoke blowing across the carriageway.

The service says it's in regular contact with the agencies to monitor the situation. In addition, it's monitoring the wind direction.

Advice from UK Health and Security Agency:

  • Any smoke can be an irritant. If people need to be outdoors, they are advised to avoid outside areas affected by any smoke or ash, or to limit the time that they spend in them.
  • Motorists who have to travel through the smoke should keep windows closed, turn off air conditioning and keep their air vents closed.

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.