Fire at Oak Tree Farm, Slitting Mill, Rugeley

Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service (SFRS) have engaged a national expert in waste fires to support the ongoing situation at Oak Tree Farm.

A number of options ranging from water to foam applications had been previously considered, but these could have had impacts upon other partners’ activities.

With community safety at the forefront of the plans, the Service today (16 September) mobilised Assistant Chief Fire Officer Mark Andrews from East Sussex, the Chief Fire Officers Association (CFOA) lead on dealing with waste fires. He confirmed that SFRS’s tactics had been appropriate so far.

ACFO Andrews, working with SFRS Deputy Chief Fire Officer Rob Barber and Director of Response Tim Hyde, have decided to consider employing a new technique at the scene.

DCFO Rob Barber said: “Following the consultation with Mark at the site this morning we have taken steps to explore using alternative approaches which should enable us to resolve the situation in a more expedient manner. Our primary concern is the safety of the public and the environment and although we have been proactive in dealing with the situation at Oak Tree Farm, our options have been limited.”

Tim Hyde, SFRS Director of Response, added: “We acknowledge the frustrations and concerns of the public but would assure them that the normal techniques we would apply in such circumstances could cause issues for other partners.”    

There will be a public meeting at Rugeley Community Fire Station on Monday 19 September at 7pm for residents to get the latest updates and to ask any questions they may have. Please note that parking is limited at the station.

Cannock Chase Council’s Environmental Health Team is exploring options to deploy equipment to monitor the air quality in the immediate area.

Public Health England advises that it’s important that local residents understand that the risks to their health are low, however smoke is an irritant so it can make people’s eyes and throat sore. The general advice remains that people should do all they can to stay out of the smoke.

If you are affected by the smoke you should stay indoors and keep your doors and windows closed.  Motorists who have to travel through the smoke should keep windows closed, turn off air conditioning and keep their air vents closed. If you can no longer smell or see any smoke you should open windows and doors to ventilate your house; if you see or smell the smoke return remember to go inside and close all windows and doors.