Massive tyre blaze finally put out

A blaze involving an estimated 2,000 tonnes of waste rubber which broke out at a Shropshire industrial estate more than two weeks ago is finally out.

Fire chiefs today said they had managed to put out the fire at Kingpin Tyres on the Wem Industrial Estate but said it was possible that it may still smoulder.

The emergency services have also thanked people in Wem for their co-operation during the incident which started on September 8.

In a joint statement, Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, the Health Protection Agency, Shropshire Council, the Environment Agency, West Mercia Police, Shropshire County PCT and Telford PCT officials said monitoring of the site would continue.

Martin Timmis, of Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "The fire has been extinguished as far as we can tell, although it is possible that it is still smouldering.

"We continue to monitor the situation at regular intervals, which includes checking the core temperature of the pile.

"The fire service has been working closely with the Health Protection Agency, Shropshire Council and West Mercia Police, as well as the Environment Agency which has been monitoring air quality.

"The Environment Agency is continuing to monitor the Rivers Roden, Tern and Severn as a precaution, and we are working with the company concerned in the clean-up operation.

"Monitoring of the site and its surroundings will continue as long as it is considered necessary."

Last week, fire chiefs suggested a possible cause of the blaze was "self ignition", but a full investigation into the cause is continuing.