Crews from around Huddersfield were called to the site at around 17:45 hrs as a large plume of smoke was seen rising from the waste site. Hundreds of tonnes of waste plastic, household waste in the open along with an attached building were involved in the fire.
The smoke could be seen from as far away as Bradford as the blaze took hold. The first appliances from Huddersfield requested assistance and 5 pumps were sent to the incident. It soon became apparent that the water supplies from local hydrants were not able to cope with the demand leaving many homes in the area without supplies.
Crews surrounded the site, used defensive tactics, hand held jets , Ground monitors and an Aerial appliance to deal with the incident.
Firefighters wore protective mast to protect them from the smoke which at times blotted out the evening sunshine.
Nearby firms around the Queens mill are were evacuated along with local resident being informed to keep doors and windows closed.
The only way to fully extinguish the fire is to clear the site under controlled supervision. Fire crews have now been working with the Environment Agency and Kirklees Council to discuss what to do next.
Appliances from Huddersfield, Rastrick, Meltham, Slaithwaite, Fairweather Green, Stanningley with HVP's and support crews and officers.
Update 27/08/2016 15:00 Hrs.
An appliance still remains in attendance at the waste site 10 days after the fire. Just one crew with a charged line should it be required while excavators deal with the rubbish on the site, some of which is still smouldering.
