Fire Safety Science Digital Archive

A small fire occurred in factory waste on the banks of the river Brent at the rear of factories built on madeup ground bordering the river. Over a period of years the bank, which was about 20 ft. high, had become extended beyond its original line by the dumping of waste which, at the site of the fire, consisted mainly of steel swarf and contained coal and coke. The danger to the factories lay in the possibility of the original made-up ground containing combustible material and of the fire extending to this. It was recommended that the progress of the fire should be watched carefully, any digging-out should be done cautiously and the holes sealed with lime or cement slurry; any tendency for the fire to spread towards the factories should be checked by injecting slurry between the fire and the factories. The tipping and burning of combustible waste in situations of this kind should be avoided.