Ongoing Fire at Ladybank Landfill
A fire at the Ladybank landfill site in Fife has continued into its fifth day, with three fire crews and specialist appliances still actively working to extinguish the flames. The incident began on Tuesday afternoon, and residents in the vicinity who detect smoke or see it are advised to keep their windows closed for safety.
At the peak of the emergency response, 12 appliances and specialist resources were deployed to manage the fire. Fortunately, there have been no reported casualties. However, the Unite union has raised concerns that some staff had to climb a locked gate to escape the site during the incident. In response, Cireco Scotland, the site operator, described the claim as "speculation" but committed to conducting a thorough investigation.
Firefighting Challenges and Response
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has indicated that fully extinguishing the fire could take until early next week. The difficulty arises from the fire burning deep within the piled waste, making access and suppression more complex.
"There is still firefighting ongoing."
Fife Council has confirmed that the waste transfer and processing facility remains closed while emergency services continue their efforts to control the fire.
Impact on Residents and Services
The council acknowledged the incident's impact on local residents and travelers, stating:
"We understand this has been a worrying incident for residents and disruptive for people travelling through the area or trying to use Ladybank Recycling Centre.
Smoke is still coming from the site as the fire is brought under control, residents should continue to keep windows and doors closed if they can see or smell smoke.
Bin collections are currently going ahead as planned and people should continue to present bins and bulky uplift items as normal.
The household waste recycling centre at the site is closed due to the fire and will remain so while firefighting activity continues.
However, the Ladybank Recycling Centre area is unaffected and will reopen as soon as the fire is out and safe access can be reinstated."
Union Concerns and Site Operator Response
The Unite union reported that some staff members were instructed to leave the site via a specific exit, only to find the gate locked with combination locks. Faced with heavy smoke and no alternative exit, the staff chose to scale the fence rather than re-enter the hazardous area.
Robin Baird, chief executive of Cireco Scotland, expressed confidence that all staff were directed to safe evacuation routes. He also confirmed that the evacuation procedures would be reviewed as part of the ongoing investigation.
