At around 12:45 p.m., a fire broke out on the extraction hood for sheared scrap located downstream of a waste crusher at a non-hazardous waste collection, sorting and dispatching facility. The fire detection system shut off the extraction system. Workers used fire extinguishers and fire hoses to put out the burning extraction hood. The extraction system was turned back on three hours later, but smoke began emanating from the dust collection cyclone. Firefighters cooled the cyclone separator and then sprayed water inside the equipment. At around 7:00 a.m., they finished their work by spraying foam. The firewater flowed into the industrial area’s wastewater collection system until a bund was set up by emergency services. The managers of the wastewater treatment plant were alerted. A portion of the firewater that could be collected was taken away by a specialist company. Material damage was estimated at €60,000.

The fire was started by an accumulation of hot material that was sucked into the extraction system and the dust collection cyclone. The cyclone separator contained a high amount of dust.

Since the fire, the operator plans to implement a number of measures at a cost of €40,000:

• The cyclone filling sensor will be moved so that the filling level alarm is sounded more quickly.
• A screen will be fitted on the filtration system inlet to prevent large pieces that build up in the suction lines and cyclone separator being drawn in. This screen will be cleaned weekly.
• A bag filter level sensor will be installed and the cyclone separator’s filling level will be checked monthly.
• A dry riser will be installed on the suction system to make it easier for firefighters to put out any fires occurring in it.
• It is looking into the possibility of installing a sprinkler system in the suction lines.
• Bunding around the cyclone separator.
• It is looking into installing a fire detection and suppression system for the shear, the belt located after the shear, and the crushed scrap buffer stock.