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Devastating blaze rips through waste plant
Fire at the CEW Recycling plant at Merton Street
THIS is the scene of devastation following a huge blaze that ripped through a waste management plant in St Helens.
Firefighters spent more than 24 hours tackling the the blaze at Centralgrange Environmental Waste (CEW) Ltd – who are hoping to convert a nearby warehouse into an energy from waste plant – and were still at the scene yesterday morning (Tuesday).
Crews were called to a single-storey waste management depot on Merton Street, off Merton Bank Road, shortly before midday on Sunday (February 5).
On arrival, firefighters found flames ripping through a large pile of waste material – about 15m by 15m in size.
Worryingly, part of an asbestos roof was also involved in the fire.
A mechanical digger was brought in overnight to remove a further 400 tonnes of waste to stop the fire from spreading and to help firefighters target the seat of the blaze.
And, at the height of the blaze, six fire engines from across the force area were on scene – including crews from Parr Stocks and Whiston.
Relief crews also responded to the incident from Formby, Toxteth, Kensington and Upton Fire Stations.
Two hose-reel branches were still being used throughout Monday morning (February 6) and police were called in to assist with Monday morning traffic control in the area.
Four fire engines – two from Parr Stocks and one each from Speke and Garston Fire Stations – remained at the scene well into Monday afternoon.
l To find out more about CEW Ltd’s plan for the former Ravenhead Glass warehouse on Lock Street, turn to page 11.
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Weather for St Helens
Friday 24 May 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 5 C to 14 C
Wind Speed: 33 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 7 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: West
