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Water pollution checks continue three weeks after huge fire at Sweeep Kuusakoski in Sittingbourne

00:01, 31 July 2013

Fire crews tackle the blaze at the Sweeep Kuusakoski recycling plant. Picture: Andy Ives
Fire crews tackle the blaze at the Sweeep Kuusakoski recycling plant. Picture: Andy Ives

Experts are continuing to carry out checks on water in an area of Sittingbourne more than three weeks after a huge blaze at a recycling plant.

The Environment Agency said more analysis on supplies from nearby Milton Creek is needed to see if the fire fighting had led to pollution.

A fireball erupts from the fire at the Sweeep recycling centre in Milton Regis. Picture: Andy Ives
A fireball erupts from the fire at the Sweeep recycling centre in Milton Regis. Picture: Andy Ives

It confirmed it is also involved in establishing what caused the blaze on Sunday, July 7 - in which 300 tonnes of used electrical material was incinerated at Sweeep Kuusakoski.

More than 50 firefighters spent 32 hours tackling the inferno at the centre in Gas Road, Milton Regis.

The fire could be seen from across the area as huge plumes of thick smoke billowed into the air.

Two Sweeep staff members were injured in the fire, but both returned to work the following day.

About a third of the building was destroyed, but the firm's bosses said no jobs would be lost as a result and business continued as normal.

An Environment Agency spokesman said: "We are currently working with the company to get it operating safely once more, as well as carrying out investigations as to the cause of the fire and any potential permit breaches.

"We are also giving the company advice and guidance as to what to do with the fire damaged material to ensure that it is disposed of safely and without any risk to the environment or human health."

Firefighters douse flames billowing from the Sweep recycling depot. Picture: Andy Payton
Firefighters douse flames billowing from the Sweep recycling depot. Picture: Andy Payton
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