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A significant fire erupted at the Ladybank landfill site in Fife on Tuesday afternoon and has continued to burn for over three days. According to the Unite union, employees at the site faced a dangerous situation during the incident, as some staff had to climb over a locked gate to evacuate. The union has described this scenario as “bizarre and concerning,” raising serious questions about the site’s emergency procedures.
The site operator, Cireco Scotland, has responded to the union’s claims by calling them “speculation” and confirmed that a comprehensive investigation into the fire will take place. Robin Baird, CEO of Cireco Scotland, emphasized that while they will review the circumstances surrounding the locked gate, he remains confident that all staff were initially directed to safe escape routes. However, he acknowledged that the investigation is needed to clarify whether protocols were fully followed during the evacuation.
Unite regional officer Bob McGregor shared details from those involved, highlighting that when employees tried to exit through the designated route, they found the gate secured with a combination lock, forcing them to scale the gate to escape. McGregor expressed grave concern over the safety risks this posed, noting the presence of heavy smoke and the inability to use the intended escape path. He also noted ongoing health and safety worries among workers, particularly about the height at which waste was piled on the site, mentioning that the fear of rubbish collapse was a recurring issue.
Meanwhile, firefighters remain actively engaged at the scene. Around 30 firefighters, supported by four fire engines including a height appliance, are working to contain the blaze. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) expects to stay at the landfill site for another two to three days due to the deep-seated nature of the fire. Group commander Des Donnelly commented on the challenges faced, explaining that the fire is several meters deep, with firefighters concentrating on extinguishing remaining hot spots and smouldering waste. Donnelly stated it was premature to determine the fire’s cause but noted that the combination of waste materials and weather conditions have influenced how the fire has spread across the site
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