Fire at Environtyre in Country Durham

Envirotyre has suffered a significant fire at its tyre reprocessing plant on Littleburn Industrial Estate, Langley Moor, County Durham. According to local news reports, firefighters were called to the scene at about 10.30am today (22 April 2010). Fire chiefs reported that the fire could burn “for several more days.” No injuries have been reported. There has been no confirmation of how much damage has been caused.

The Northern Echo reported that a plume of smoke emanating from burning tyre chip in at firm could be seen rising “hundreds of feet into the sky and [could be] seen as far away as Morpeth, in Northumberland, and on Teesside.” The fire is said to have burnt at close to 1,000 degrees Celsius at its peak.

Tony Grufferty, group manager for the County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue was quoted as saying is “too early to establish what had caused the fire, but said an investigation would be held.” More than 30 firefighters working from six fire engines have been attending the scene.

The Northern Echo reported that an earlier fire in the factory (in November 2006) then owned by Colway Tyres destroyed 300 tyres. A smaller fire affected the unit in May 1994. Envirotyre shreds used tyres before neighbouring firm Interfloor turns them into rubber crumb for use in underlay. The waste is then returned to Envirotyre for recycling.