Fire breaks out at Veolia Southwark recycling plant – no injuries reported
Blaze hits Southwark Materials Recovery Facility
A fire erupted at Veolia’s Southwark Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) on Monday, November 18, just after 12:30pm. The blaze broke out in the Transfer Station, where dry mixed recycling is sorted. Thankfully, no one was hurt, and the fire was quickly brought under control.
London Fire Brigade praised for rapid response
A Veolia spokesperson said safety protocols kicked in immediately. They confirmed:
“Safety is a top priority at all of our facilities, and our teams followed procedures to alert the London Fire Brigade, who responded promptly to bring the fire under control. Thankfully, nobody was injured, and we will work with the London Fire Brigade to determine the cause of the fire.”
Fire crews acted fast to extinguish the flames, safeguarding workers and nearby residents. An investigation is now underway to uncover exactly what caused the fire.
Possible cause linked to hazardous waste in recycling
Veolia warned the public about the dangers of dumping hazardous items into recycling bins. They said:
“Waste fires often ignite due to flammable items among collected waste such as vapes, electrical goods, batteries or gas canisters. Residents must think twice before disposing of these items and check their local council’s website for safe recycling options.”
The company stressed proper recycling is vital to prevent future fires.
Residents urged to recycle safely
This latest blaze highlights the risks tied to careless waste disposal. People are urged to take extra care with flammable or hazardous items by using designated recycling points.
For advice on recycling dangerous goods, residents should visit their local council website or contact Veolia directly.
