A FIRE that raged at a Wareham landfill site is now under control.

The blaze, which started on Sunday afternoon, continued to burn yesterday but a spokesman for the Viridor site said that ‘good progress’ had been made and that the fire at Trigon Landfill is now under control.

Although fire crews will maintain a presence at the site for another one or two days.

Three crews from the Dorset Fire and Rescue Service will remain on site at Bere Lane, Wareham, Dorset working alongside employees, using water and sand to suppress and extinguish the fire.

Thirty-nine out of 40 fire crews across Dorset have been involved in fighting the blaze.

A spokesperson for Dorset Fire and Rescue Service said that they had employed nearly every fire engine across the county at the Trigon site since the first emergency call came in. Colleagues from Hampshire have provided high volume pumps to help extinguish the flames.

See all the pictures of Wareham landfill fire in a gallery here

Craig Baker, Area Manager for Dorset Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Huge progress has been made on site over the last 24 hours extinguishing and smothering the fire, thanks to the hard work of the fire crews and Viridor staff. 

“I would anticipate a fire service presence on site for another one or two days.”

Dan Cooke, Director of External Affairs for Viridor, said:  “Our colleagues continue to work closely with the Dorset Fire and Rescue Service to fully control and extinguish this fire, and with the Environment Agency to manage the situation safely and effectively.  We’ll continue to keep local parties and our customers updated.”

Viridor operatives are also installing a precautionary fire break in the site to minimise the risk of any further spread.

Yesterday smoke from the fire and a smell of burning rubber had reportedly drifted as far as the Isle of Wight, with residents being told to keep their windows closed and not go out in it for longer than necessary.

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