Warehouse fire like a horror movie, say residents

The fire broke out in Rushden on 23 May at the Sanders Lodge industrial estate

People living near a large warehouse that caught on fire more than two weeks ago said the incident was "like a horror movie".

The blaze at Monoworld in Rushden, Northamptonshire, led to a major incident being declared on 23 May, with 15 crews dealing with the fire at its height.

Smoke from a large quantity of burning plastic at the recycling site on the Sanders Lodge industrial estate could be seen for miles.

Despite the fire being extinguished the same day and the site handed back to the owners, North Northamptonshire Council advised those living nearby to wash homegrown food and clean shoes earlier this week.

'Never seen smoke like that'

Roy and Sue Pettit said the fire caused thick black smoke which kept them indoors

The Monoworld warehouse sits behind Sue Pettit's garden and she said the fire was "pretty alarming".

"It was very black, very thick smoke very high. It did look like a horror movie," she said.

The 78-year-old added the fire meant she and her husband had to stay in the house.

"They told us to keep their doors and windows shut and so there was no point in coming into the garden," she said.

He husband Roy added: "The smoke kept me out in the garden for a couple of days. I didn't come out here at all."

The 81-year-old added: "I've never, ever seen or experienced smoke like that in the whole of my life.

"It was jet black, thick and it was rising straight up and then it suddenly turned 90 degrees and came across the bungalow."

He said the couple had "taken all the precautions that we were advised to" by the fire service and then the council.

'We were lucky'

Rushden resident Eleanor Seers said she was worried her garden would be affected by the fire

Eleanor Seers also lives near the industrial estate and has spent 25 years working on her garden, including growing her own fruit and vegetables.

She said: "I just grow enough for me and my husband. It's lovely to walk out and pick your own produce."

The 74-year-old said she was out walking her dog on the morning of the fire about the time it broke out and "could see the smoke".

When she returned home, she added, "I could see the flames behind [the smoke, that is] how near it was".

Ms Seers was worried the flames, smoke and debris would damage her garden.

"It would have been [lost] because it's 25 years of work. We were lucky," she said.

'Common-sense approach'

"Limited activities" can now resume at Monoworld, the Environment Agency has agreed

North Northamptonshire Council said the advice it gave to wash homegrown food and clean shoes was "precautionary".

In a statement the authority said: "In conjunction with our partner agencies, we have suggested some short-term actions, as a reminder, of general advice in what is a low risk, temporary situation – a number of which would be seen as a common-sense approach when dealing with home-grown produce for example."

Rushden warehouse fire: A timeline

The fire service said the fire was accidental and likely caused by a battery

• 23 May 06:30 BST: Fire breaks out at at the Monoworld recycling site

• 23 May 11:45: Major incident declared with 15 fire engines tackling the blaze

• 23 May 16:30: Major incident stood down but firefighters remained on site

• 27 May: Businesses on the industrial estate were allowed to reopen

• 30 May: Fire service said the fire was accidental and likely caused by a battery

• 4 June: Residents issued advice by North Northamptonshire Council to wash homegrown food and clean shoes