Environmental safety authorities are closely monitoring a a fire which has broken out at a known asbestos-containing recycling centre in Dunkirk, United Kingdom.
As many as 12 firefighters attended the massive blaze, with local police assisting with nearby road closures.
One firefighter who attended said that “It’s all asbestos in there. They won’t let you in.”
In a statement, a Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman, explained that, “We currently have 12 appliances in attendance at a recycling fire in the Lenton area.
“Smoke can be seen from a distance away so we urge local residents, or anyone who can see or smell smoke, to close doors and windows. Abbeyfield Road is currently closed so please avoid the area.”
A spokesperson for Nottingham Recycling said that, “A fire was discovered at Nottingham Recycling’s facility in Abbeyfield Road, Nottingham, earlier this afternoon.
“The Fire Service attended very quickly and have worked tirelessly since then to tackle the fire. At the time of this statement, they remain on site. Thankfully there have been no injuries caused by the fire.”
Local police are working with fire authorities to determine the cause of the blaze and are calling on locals to report any information to themselves.
Structural fires in buildings containing asbestos are difficult to manage because the fire often destroys the materials hosting the asbestos, and the breakdown of those materials can lead to the release of significant amounts of asbestos fibres.