Humberside Fire and Rescue Service was called to the Energy Works site on Cleveland Street, Hull at 1.17pm on Saturday 26 September, persons self-evacuated before crews arrived and all staff were accounted for and safe and well.
The busy road was closed to allow fire crews to effectively respond to the fire and was reopened on Monday morning. Crews rotated throughout the week to remain on scene to monitor, advise and ensure the site was secure. The incident was handed back to the Energy Works site managers early evening on Friday 2 October, after crews had done a final check.
Humberside Fire and Rescue Service worked closely with the Environment Agency, Hull City Council's Environmental Health team and Energy Works throughout to bring the fire under control and reduce the environmental impact to the River Hull which is next to the site.
Group Manager Simon Donnachie stated, “Crews worked very hard to bring this complex and unique fire under control. Working with partner agencies and the site managers to reduce any environmental impact on residents and businesses in the area and to the River Hull.
“We used our new 45m aerial ladder platform to access areas they could not reach from the ground. The fire was contained in a concrete bunker and our crews and officers were there to advise site managers on how to contain and extinguish the fire safely. I’m pleased that we were able to hand the incident back to the site managers on Friday.”
Statement from Energy Works Hull, “We would like to express our sincere thanks to all parties involved, for all of their efforts since the fire at Energy Works Hull broke out on Saturday 26 September and to the local residents for co-operating with the incident responders and following their guidance.
“As outlined by Humberside Fire and Rescue, the fire was quickly brought under control by their teams with crews remaining on site for the duration of the week, to reduce the risk of any ongoing issues associated with smouldering in the fuel bunker.
“We have been working closely with Humberside Fire and Rescue, Environmental Health and the Environment Agency since this incident occurred. The team at Energy Works continue to closely monitor the facility and are taking all appropriate measures, to protect the community and the environment. Over the coming days, when safe to do so, an operation will be commencing to remove the material in the bunker.
“To minimise any possible impact, the material will be removed from Energy Works in a controlled procedure, over the next few weeks. The vehicle movements to remove the material will be within social hours and will be no greater than those under normal operation. We do not expect this to cause any disruption to the traffic in the local area.
“A spokesman from Humberside Fire and Rescue confirmed during their week on site that nothing of a hazardous nature was on fire and on a precautionary basis the Environment Agency are monitoring air quality in the surrounding area.
“We continue to be in contact with local residents and will provide updates via our website: energyworkshull.co.uk as they become available.”
A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: “The Environment Agency continues to support its partners at Humberside Fire and Rescue Service and Hull City Council in responding to the fire incident at Energy Works Hull.
“Our specialist officers are closely monitoring the impact of ongoing smouldering within the waste derived fuel bunker and any impact of this to air quality near to the site.
“Whilst there is currently very little smoke being generated, we continue to ensure that all appropriate measures are being taken by Energy Works (Hull) Ltd to protect people and the environment whilst resolving the situation as promptly as possible.”