8:00am Friday 28th December 2012
A KIDDERMINSTER recycling firm is counting the cost after a dramatic blaze ripped through its plant.
Bosses at Lawrence Recycling said it was still too early to say how much the damage would cost as it was currently working with insurers following the blaze, on December 13.
The fire broke out in the waste reception area of the facility in Stourport Road, leaving a plume of thick smoke billowing in the air.
Andrew Gibson, chairman of the firm, said the company was now in “clear-up mode” and was hoping to reopen in January.
“Our business continuity plan has kicked in,” he added. “All our collection vehicles are out working, collecting normally from our waste and recycling customers across the Midlands. Collected material is being taken to third party sites.
“Our competitors in and around the Midlands have provided tremendous support so that we can maintain recycling and waste collection services.”
He praised the commitment of staff as “monumental”, adding he valued the support and patience of customers. Workers had to be evacuated from the building as the blaze took hold and nearby business and residents were also told to leave their premises.
A half-mile section of Stourport Road was also closed as smoke from the plant combined with fog, causing traffic chaos.
Fifteen fire crews were scrambled to the scene and the fire service, Environment Agency and recycling staff spent days at the site bringing the fire under control to minimise damage.
David Lawrence, the firm’s managing director, said: “The fire service, other agencies and my team have been absolutely fabulous working together and I cannot praise their efforts enough.
“Our fire systems and disaster recovery processes made a huge difference in helping us to effectively manage this incident.”
The cause of the fire is not yet known and fire investigators were have been on site.
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