Blaze at tip sparks alert

A chemical fire engulfed parts of Cannock Chase in thick smoke as nearby residents and workers were warned to stay indoors.

More than 30 firefighters tackled the blaze at the Poplars landfill site run by Biffa Waste Services.

The fire broke out at about 12.10pm yesterday and the flames were still burning at 11pm.

Crews were at the Lichfield Road site this morning damping down.

Neighbouring businesses on Kingswood Lakeside business park were told to bring yard staff indoors to avoid the acrid fumes.The fire service set up an 800m exclusion zone as a precaution which created traffic problems.

Buildings within the site were evacuated but residents living nearby could stay in their homes.

No one was injured in the incident.

The fire is believed to have been started after an unidentified chemical was illegally dumped with 40 tonnes of sand.

Alf Wilson, of Staffordshire Fire Service said: "When firefighters arrived there was a small amount of chemical, within some silica sand, that was on fire but this was quickly dealt with.

"However there was also domestic waste spread over an area of approximately 20 square metres which was also on fire.

"Due to the plumes of smoke that were being created we asked people in the Lichfield Road and Heath Hayes area of Cannock to close windows and avoid going out as a precautionary measure."

Barry Walton, of Biffa, said: "We will be carrying out a full investigation. The fire followed a delivery of 40 tonnes of silica sand. It is believed that this contained a combustible material that was not lawfully identified to us at Biffa."

By Shaun Lintern