23/8/2005 - Kingmoor Park Fire

Cumbria County Council's Fire and Rescue Service has confirmed that firefighting operations are continuing at Kingmoor Park, Carlisle, and every effort is being made to alleviate any environmental impact from the fire. Officers from the Environment Agency, Environmental Health, Health Protection Agency and Health and Safety Executive have been on site for much of the incident.

The Fire and Rescue Service has employed a revolutionary new type of foam, which uses compressed air, to speed up the extinguishing of the fire.

Dave Keevil, Head of Operations says:

"I started to investigate the potential of this new type of foam just two weeks ago at East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, who are the first in the world to develop its use. This particular fire could have burned for a considerable time and I took the opportunity to test its potential given the circumstances we were faced with. The foam proved very efficient in extinguishing the fire and helped solved a difficult and potentially environmentally destructive incident.

Water run off from the incident is being constantly monitored by the Environment Agency and they are satisfied that this should have no adverse environmental effects."

Doctor Stephen Morton from the Health Protection Agency says:

"Given the height of the smoke plume and the fact that the fire has now died down we would reiterate our message that any risks to public health are very small. Any substances that might be harmful would be noticed as irritants, and anyone affected would certainly be aware of symptoms. We have not received any calls from GP’s seeking advice and would conclude that any potentially harmful substances were not present in the sort of concentrations where they would cause problems