Controlled Burn Ongoing at Lean Quarry Waste Facility After Fire

Residents urged to stay indoors as controlled burn continues near Liskeard

People living near Horningtops, just outside Liskeard, are being told to keep their windows and doors shut more than a week after a fire broke out at the Lean Quarry waste facility.

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service was first called in the early hours of Tuesday 22nd July to deal with a blaze involving a large volume of general waste. Several crews were sent to tackle the flames, but the building was later ruled structurally unsafe by an engineer.

Since then, a controlled burn approach has been taken, meaning firefighters are monitoring the situation but cannot safely enter the building to extinguish the fire from the inside.

Smoke still affecting local area

Cornwall Council, Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS), the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and site owner Biffa are continuing to monitor the smoke in the area. In the meantime, residents are being advised to stay indoors wherever possible and to keep windows and doors closed.

Anyone with health conditions made worse by smoke is being encouraged to contact their GP or use NHS 111 online or call NHS 111 for advice.

Scott Brown, Station Manager at Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service, said:

“The stack of waste where the fire broke out is 15–20 metres in height and contains a huge amount of general waste.
This is a very complex incident, and we are working with partners to ensure it can be brought to an end as quickly as possible.
In the meantime, we ask that residents follow the advice to keep their windows and doors closed.”

Demolition plans in progress

Biffa is currently working to appoint a contractor to demolish the damaged structure, which will allow emergency crews proper access to deal with the remaining fire.

Councillor Thalia Marrington, cabinet member for Community Wellbeing and Public Health at Cornwall Council, added:

“I’d like to thank all the firefighters who have worked on this incident and helped contain the fire.
I appreciate how frustrating this situation is for residents living nearby, but please be assured we are doing everything we can to bring it to a safe conclusion.
If you live nearby, please do keep your windows and doors closed for the time being.
If anyone is concerned about their health due to the smoke, I urge them to contact their GP or NHS 111.”

The fire remains ongoing and residents are being urged to follow public health guidance until the site can be safely accessed and the fire fully extinguished.