Fire breaks out at Llanelli recycling factory
Over 20 firefighters attended a huge fire at a recycling plant in Llanelli after 200 tonnes of shredded paper and plastic caught alight.
Crews from Gorseinon and Llanelli were sent to the fire which broke out at the AMG Resources Factory at around 7pm on Saturday 21st April.
Fire Station Manager Nigel Gibbard, said: “It was a large mound of waste product which was outside the building of approximately 200 tonnes. It was mainly made up of paper and plastic, which was going to be put through the recycling process again. Our main concern was with the wind direction, the smoke was blowing over the town. No one was evacuated and we were able to damp down the flames quite quickly. The blaze was under control within two hours.”
No one was injured in the blaze. It is not yet known how the fire started, and an investigation will be carried out.
Arson suspected at recycling yard
A fire which hit a recycling yard in North Lanarkshire, Scotland on Easter weekend thought to have cost around £500,000.
20 firefighters attended the fire at the New Town Skip Hire site in Motherwell on 8th April.
Detective Sergeant Scott Wilson said: “The premises is owned by a recycling company and the damage is mainly to a high-value piece of machinery which is estimated to be worth half a million pounds. Officers are checking the extensive CCTV from the yard and carrying out enquiries in the local area. Although this happened in the early hours of the morning, Albert St can have a steady stream of taxis and cars at this time, so it is possible that someone may have seen people or vehicles acting suspiciously in the area before the fire or making away at speed after the incident.”
Fire at Witton metal factory
More than 40 firefighters attended a large fire at the Timet UK metal factory in Witton at around 8am on 11th April.
Crews from Perry Barr, Erdington, Ward End, Bournbrook, Highgate, Wednesbury and Sheldon community fire stations were sent to the scene.
The fire is thought to have started in the basement of the two-storey factory.
No one was believed to be inside the building and the cause of the fire is currently unknown.
Radio mast arson attack
Two radio stations have had their services severely disrupted after a fire was started at a Bristol aerial mast.
Firefighters believe the blaze at East Dundry Lane was started deliberately.
BBC Radio Bristol’s 94.9 FM and Jack FM’s 106.5 FM were affected in the incident.
A spokesman for mast owner Arqiva said: “Five other communications services which use the tower have also been affected. The structure itself has been declared safe and technical teams are on site to effect repairs as soon as possible. Our hope is to get services restored by early evening.”
Avon Fire and Rescue Service said: “The damage was confined to the base of the mast but as there was evidence the fire was deliberate, police were called.”
An investigation into the cause of the fire will be carried out.
Rioter sentenced to 11 years for starting furniture store fire
The man accused of starting the fire which destroyed Reeves furniture store in the August riots has been jailed for 11 ½ years.
Gordon Thompson admitted starting the blaze that destroyed the 140 year old shop in Croydon, south London.
The blaze cost over £3 million and caused significant danger to residents and firefighters.
Thompson started the fire by setting fire to a cushion in the store. Shortly after he was heard boasting about what he had done.
Thompson admitted arson and also three charges of burglary for which he got concurrent lesser terms.
Judge Peter Thornton told him: “This day was a bad day for Croydon and the people of Croydon. Perhaps the most shocking event was that the House of Reeves was set alight and burned to the ground, putting lives at risk. This is, was, a landmark store, a furniture store of the Reeves family business which had stood on the site for over 140 years, proudly giving its name to its location, Reeves Corner. You were about to bring all that to an end. This was a deliberate, wilful act of shocking, dangerous vandalism.” The judge said the Reeves family’s loss was priceless. “The trauma they have suffered is inestimable.”
Many people were left traumatised by the incident. Many had to escape from the fire with young children.
It is now evident that Thompson has 20 previous convictions, including one for violent robbery.