Fire in faulty machine blamed for closure of Wolverhampton recycling centre

An electrical fire resulting in the temporary closure of a Wolverhampton tip has been blamed on a faulty dehumidifier.

Firefighters were called to the Shaw Road Household Waste Recycling Centre , on Shaw Road, Wolverhampton, on Monday morning to put out the smoke and flames resulting in the closure of the site.

WOLVERHAMPTON COPYRIGHT NATIONAL WORLD TIM THURSFIELD -12/05/25Shaw Road Recycling Centre, Wolverhampton, closed to the public after there was a fire in the women's toilets.

It is expected to re-open on Tuesday following repairs to a container unit housing staff toilets.

In a statement West Midlands Fire Service said: Shortly before 6.30am on Monday (12 May), we responded to Shaw Road, Wolverhampton. A fire engine and a 4x4 brigade response vehicle from Fallings Park responded.

"This was a fire inside a metal shipping container at a recycling centre.

"Firefighters used a hose reel to extinguish the fire, which is believed to have started accidentally. There were no injuries or casualties."

Wolverhampton Council stated: “An electrical issue with a dehumidifier caused a fire in the women's toilets at Shaw Lane HWRC.

Fortunately, the fire did not cause any injuries, but it has affected staff toilet and washing facilities and we are organising temporary replacements.

The electrics are currently being checked and we hope to be able to re-open Shaw Road HWRC tomorrow.

In the meantime, residents are advised to take their household waste and recycling to our Anchor Lane site.”

The firefighters departed at 8.42am.