FIRE crews from across south Wales and south west England were called to tackle a blaze at an industrial unit in Chepstow on Thursday evening (6th August).
A number of crews were involved and worked through the night to get the fire under control, with fire fighters still on the scene at 4am after being called out around 4.30pm.
At the height of the blaze, six fire engine crews, one breathing apparatus support unit, an aerial appliance and a water bowser were in attendance.
It is understood that the gates of the premises, which was holding around 600 tonnes of general household and building waste, were shut and locked at 4.30pm which hampered the fire crews’ access to the fire.
Smoke and ash from the fire drifted across the river and into Gloucestershire from the scene at RB Skip Hire on Station Road, Chepstow.
Situated at the point where the riverbank meets the A48 road and railway bridges, the smoke from the fire was causing traffic to build up throughout the town as visibility was dramatically reduced along routes into and out of the town.
There were reports of pops and bangs coming from the site as asbestos in the building was heated up in the flames.
At the time of going to press, two fire appliances and ten firefighters remain on scene, continuing to damp down any hotspots, with this work expected to continue for the rest of the day (Friday 7th August).
South Wales Fire and Rescue station manager Adrian Moyce said: “Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus were committed to the building to prevent internal fire spread. This tactic prevented the fire from spreading through the rest of the building.
“The firefighters’ actions ensured that only 100 tonnes of waste were involved in the fire.
“Once the fire was under control, machinery was used to bring the smouldering waste outside the building where it could be extinguished.
“At 11pm on Thursday this was stopped, due to poor light and two appliances remained overnight to ensure there was no further internal fire spread.”
The cause of the fire is currently unknown.