Arcwood Recycling Fire – Company Director Jailed

The director of Arcwood Recycling from Stanton by Dale in Derbyshire has been jailed for 10 months in relation to a fire which burned for 8 weeks.

The fire involving 8000 tonnes of material started on 15th September 2012 was attended by fire crews continuously for nine days. During the battle to contain the fire 137 separate fire appliances were sent to the scene at a cost to Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service of £107,000.

Eventually firefighters had to smother the deep-seated fire after burying wood pulp in specially prepared pits on nearby land in order to put out the blaze.

Local residents were advised to keep their doors and windows closed while the fire burned.

Luke Barker appeared at Derby Crown Court where he admitted four safety failures which had put people at risk of death or serious injury – he was also banned from being a company director for 8 years.

Hundreds of fish in the Erewash Canal later died after water oxygen levels dropped. After the fire was successfully extinguished the Environment Agency had to reintroduce oxygen in the Erewash Canal to prevent more fish becoming affected due to the contaminated water.

The cost to the Environment Agency for minimising the blaze’s impact on wildlife was said to be £200,000.