Melbourn county councillor calls for closure of wood recycling plant following fire
The fire at the wood recycling plant in Flint Cross has continued to burn throughout the week. Credit: @cambsfrs. - Credit: Archant
A county councillor is calling for the closure of a wood recycling plant near Melbourn which is still burning after a fire broke out a week ago.
Emergency services were first called to an overnight fire at Bridge Foot Quarry in Flint Cross on Thursday, which is now covering the entire surface of material on the site.
Firefighters still at the scene are satisfied with the progress being made – although the blaze is expected to continue for another nine days.
Melbourn county councillor Susan van de Ven said: “There are long-term planning breaches on the site, and this is the third fire there.
“It is now dumping ash all over Melbourn and the surrounding villages, and possibly Royston too.
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“I’ve asked Cambridgeshire County Council for a breakdown of costs to the public purse and said I think the site should be closed, due to unacceptable costs.”
Following a joint investigation between the police and fire service, it was determined that the most likely cause of the blaze was deliberate.
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A man in his 70s from the Royston area has been arrested on suspicion of arson in connection with the fire and has been bailed until January 7.
The fire – which involved a large quantity of wood chippings – closed the A505 between the junction with the A10 and Junction 10 of the M11, until 3.20pm on Friday.
A spokesman for Cambs Fire and Rescue Service said: “Owing to the nature of the way the material is burning, the smoke is now buoyant and becoming less visible.
“We advise people in the vicinity to keep their windows and doors closed.”
