Residents’ health fears over Nantyglo blaze (From South Wales Argus)

Residents’ health fears over Nantyglo blaze

5:30pm Friday 11th January 2013 in News

WASTE BLAZE: The fire in at a Nantyglo waste paper facility

RESIDENTS are concerned for their health as fire fighters are still tackling a blaze at a Nantyglo waste paper facility.

The fire, which has been burning for seven days, could go on for weeks, said South Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

The Environment Agency Wales said it believes the environmental impact has been "minimal".

Yesterday (FRI) afternoon, six fire fighters from Brynmawr station were still trying to put out the fire at Adrian Lewis Waste Paper Collection Ltd on Blaenant Road.

The Environment Agency Wales has sent a mobile air quality monitoring unit to the site, in response to concerns that Blaenau Gwent Council and Public Health Wales have received from residents about the health impact of the fire.

A spokeswoman for Environment Agency Wales said the Agency started its own investigation into the cause of the fire, looking into whether any environmental offences have been committed, and officers continue to monitor the site.

Blaenau Gwent Council has advised residents to keep windows and doors shut, and minimise outdoor exposure to the smoke.