Firefighters continue to tackle blaze at landfill site

Firefighters from Warwickshire County Council's Fire and Rescue Service are this morning continuing their efforts to tackle a blaze at Ufton Landfill, near Southam.  

Around 30 firefighters from across Warwickshire have been working tirelessly for 48 hours in four-hour shifts.   Crews were called out at 12.14pm on Sunday 16 September to a fire at the site, which takes waste from both Staffordshire and Warwickshire. 

The site is now closed and rubbish is being diverted to alternative waste disposal units. Machinery is now on site turning the rubbish over for firefighters to damp down.  

Incident commander, Barnaby Briggs said: "We have been working continuously now for 48 hours. Crews have been deployed for across Warwickshire and we have also received cross border assistance from West Midlands Fire and Rescue Service with the use of their high volume pump. We have made good progress on the site, but there is still more work to be done."    

Robert Weeks, Head of Environment at Stratford District Council said: "Stratford-on-Avon District Council is advising residents to take sensible precautions and avoid the smoke as much as possible and to keep all doors and windows closed when you are at home.  If you require any further advise please call 01789 260835."     

Warwickshire County Council is advising that schools in the area are still open.  Roads around Deppers Bridge may be closed for the use of specialist equipment throughout the incident.