Taunton Recycling Centre fire started accidentally

Most of a building was damaged

A blaze at a recycling centre was started accidentally, the fire service said.

Taunton Recycling Centre has been closed since a fire broke out in the material recovery facility building in the early hours of 3 October.

On Thursday, Somerset Council said the site would remain closed for the foreseeable future.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said the building sustained 80% damage and its contents were destroyed.

Up to 60 firefighters and eight appliances were in attendance to tackle the fire at the Biffa-owned site.

Whilst the site remained closed, residents were reminded to use alternative sites in Bridgwater or Wellington, which are open seven days a week with extra staff deployed from Taunton.

Kerbside recycling collections are unaffected, and residents should use them as usual.

Dozens of firefighters were called to the scene on 3 October

The council has promised any replacement or repair work to the MRF "will not be funded by the taxpayer," according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service,

"This was a fire involving domestic recycling material including large amounts of plastic, cardboard and associated machinery," the fire service said.

"The fire was contained to one building, but the contents were completely destroyed by fire and 80% of the building was damaged by fire. It was an accidental cause."

"At its height, eight fire appliances, two aerial ladder platforms, an incident command unit, high volume pump and water bowser were in attendance."

Crews used the pump to take water from a nearby canal.

Somerset councillor Dixie Darch thanked residents for their patience. "We are sorry that you cannot access the site yet," she said.

"Teams are working hard to find the best way to make the site safe, but please bear with us while plans are put in place to reopen."