Update from Kent Fire & Rescue 20th September 2018

Information and advice for businesses: Westwood fire

As you know, firefighters have been tackling a fire at an industrial unit in Enterprise Way since Saturday morning (15 September).

Crews remain on site where they are working hard to contain the fire, drag the rubbish out of the fire zone, dampen it down, turn it over and check for hot spots.

Due to the size and nature of the incident, the fire service is set to be working on the site for some days to come. Smoke remains in the area as expected, and as crews drag and turn the burning material over, this may result in an occasional temporary increase in the amount of smoke coming from the site.

Businesses are advised to conduct their own risk assessment before opening, to take the smoke in the area, and any other factors, into account. The advice to keep windows and doors closed remains.

As with any large fire the Environment Agency and Public Health England have worked with the fire service to assess the impacts of smoke and whether or not it is necessary to monitor air quality. Various factors are taken into account including the nature of the fire, weather conditions and whether or not the smoke plume is at ground level. In the initial stages of this fire it was felt there was no need to monitor air quality and for people to follow existing public health advice. All agencies and local authorities remain in regular contact to monitor and review the situation.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) and Kent Police.

For updates, and to sign up to receive updates via email, please visit our website www.kent.fire-uk.org

Advice from Public Health England:

• People living and working in areas affected by smoke should stay indoors and keep their doors and windows closed.

• Motorists who have to travel through the smoke should keep windows closed, turn off air conditioning and keep their air vents closed.

• Some of the substances present in smoke can irritate the lining of the nose, throat and lungs, the skin and the eyes. Symptoms may include coughing and wheezing, sore throat, feeling short of breath, runny nose or eyes or chest pain. In general, exposure to smoke is more likely to affect people who have existing breathing problems, lung or heart conditions.

• People who are generally fit and well are unlikely to experience long-term health problems from temporary exposure to smoke from a fire.

• The very young and very old, smokers, and people with flu or flu-like illnesses, may also be at greater risk after exposure to smoke from fires.

• To minimise your exposure, limit the amount of time you spend outside in the smoke. People with asthma who may be in the vicinity of the fire should carry their inhaler.