Waldo Road tip on fire

Waldo Road on fire.

The main tipping shed at Waldo Road caught fire in the morning of Sunday140506. 50 tons of waste that was on the site burned for most of the day and caused the closure of the railway line that runs through Bromley South. Eurostar trains have been prevented from travelling past all day and the line may still be closed on Monday 15th.

On arrival on the site the fire brigade were advised by Onyx that there could be gas canisters of unknown types in the waste, the fire brigade have had to set up fixed sprays on the site and retreat 200 meters. This has meant that the fire could not be put out as quickly as it would normally be. And could be still spraying the site till midday on Monday at that point they will view the remains with thermal imaging cameras to see if there are any hotspots to see if it is safe.

Residents in the surrounding Carlyle Avenue, Walwyn Avenue and Mornington Avenue have been told to stay indoors or evacuate until the fire brigade are sure that the cansisters do not explode.

Holmesdale Road has been closed most of the day to allow the fire brigade to run hoses from the hydrants at the top of Holmesdale Road to the site.

The cause of the fire is unknown and damage to the tipping shed itself will not be known until the fire is totally out and the smoke has cleared.

Update 19.05.06

John Woodruff invited me to visit the site to find out about the damage and plans for the future following the fire. He explained that structurely there is only limited damage to the site the main damage is to:

- the roof where there was a sky light which burnt though
- some of the concrete from the wall has blown off (where the reinforcing steel expanded in the heat)
- two of the supporting cross struts supporting the roof need replacing
- two of the small plinths on top of the concrete wall which support the thick steel columns need to be repaired
- much of the dust supression sprays have been damaged
- the corrugated wall and roof panels need to be replaced in parts

A fire damage expert was assessing the site this morning to determine exactly what needed to be done to the site. Providing there are no severe structural issues (which is highly unlikely) the struts will be replaced over the weekend which should make the shed roof structurally sound. The main hall will be opened up to trade waste again by Tuesday (it is hoped).

John Woodruff also explained that as part of the repairs they would be looking at possibly removing "the pit" where lorries back into to be loaded as it is not really necessary now that compactors aren't used. They would also be investigating the adding either shuttering or hanging plastic curtains. Onyx would be trialing it where the tins and paper is currently stored with a view to rolling it out across the front of the whole shed.

We also talked about getting some visual / sound barriers put up along the wall that runs along the access road behind the houses on Waldo Road. John Woodruff will be pricing up getting barriers for the top of the first 50 meters or so of wall. He would also be seeing about the possibility of offering to plant Leylandi in the gardens of residents who want them.

This is all positive talk from the Council and we look forward to seeing some positive action.

(please feel free to use pictures from this site but please quote source: www.waldoroadtip.co.uk)

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