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Fire destroys 12,000 bales of straw

The A15 is closed after a fire in Sleaford which destroyed 12,000 half-tonne bales of straw.

Image: Twin Focus photography

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Sleaford straw fire update

'It has been over a week since the arson attack on one of our storage sites near Sleaford. Since the incident most of the remaining stock has been removed from the site with just approx 3000 bales left and isolated from the remnants of the fire. These will be removed shortly.We are also removing loose straw and degraded materials which is currently being received by a large landowner for use as compost. Sleaford REP are also meeting the Lincolnshire Joint Fire Task Force shortly to discuss this incident and the other strategic storage sites we operate. This will include reviewing all operational plans and emergency response planning as is normal under these circumstances. We want to be good neighbours and do have positive relationships with local councillors and organisations. Therefore we would like to apologise for the inconvenience caused to the public by the fire including the closure of the A15. Work continues to clear the site and clean areas effected by this criminal act.'

– Mike Harrison, Sleaford Communications Managers

A15 opens after blaze at energy plant

The A15 has now reopened after the fire at Sleaford Renewable Energy Plant Credit: Twin Focus Photography

The A15 at Silk Willoughby near Sleaford has re-opened to traffic following a huge fire last Sunday.

The road was re-opened just after 7pm last night.

Sleaford Renewable Energy Plant remained fully operational after the fire, which destroyed 12,000 straw bales.

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A15 to remain closed after straw fire

Police say roads near a fire which burned 12,000 bales of hay will remain closed until at least tomorrow morning.

A15 around Silk Willoughby and Quarrington was closed just after 6.15pm on Sunday around the A15/A153 roundabout because of heavy smoke in the area as a result of the fire. The closure was a precautionary measure as some of the bales were still smouldering and also because the road was being used as the bales were being cleared from the area.

Drivers are asked to avoid the area and pay attention to the diversion signs in place

Sleaford straw fire set to end

Work to remove the remaining thousands of bales of straw which were saved from being destroyed in a fire in Lincolnshire will be completed today.

The blaze near Sleaford destroyed half of the stock being stored on site for a nearby renewable energy plant.

Sleaford REP: Straw fire clear-up could take another 24 hours

Sleaford Renewable Energy Plant said in a statement that recovery was expected to take at least 24 hours and reassured people in the area that they are a "responsible neighbour":

We are continuing with the removal of straw not effected by the fire and this is likely to take at least another 24hours. The straw on fire is under control and continues to be monitored as it is left to burn out, as is procedure and is recommended by the emergency services.

Some concerns have been raised in local press regarding the amount of straw and planning permission. As NKDC have said, no amount of planning permission would have prevented this arson attack.

We wish to reassure local people that we are responsible neighbours and we will be operating a programme of works to clean up debris straw along local roads in addition to our ongoing cleaning works we operate as standard.

Sleaford REP is a local business that supports a number of jobs in Sleaford and Lincolnshire more widely. It brings revenue to the local economy each year and therefore we view this as an attack on a local business. Work now continues with the aftermath of the fire and investigations are ongoing.

– Sleaford Renewable Energy Plant

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue have not identified a cause for the fire.

Straw fire may have been started deliberately

It is believed a huge fire which destroyed thirteen thousand bales of straw at a storage site in Linconshire was started deliberately.

Three children have been arrested after the fire which is still burning more than twenty four hours after it broke out.

The straw was for use at the nearby Sleaford Renewable Energy Plant which only started its commercial operations a month ago.

Martin Fisher reports:

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No energy disruptions after Sleaford fire

Sleaford Renewable Energy Plant will remais fully operational, and has not suffered any interruption after a fire which destroyed 12,000 straw bales.

The fire broke out yesterday around 5.30pm Credit: Twin Focus Photography

Around 8,000 tonnes of straw were destroyed in the fire, but no one was injured.

Police suspect three males who have been arrested for arson.

Initial findings show that the appropriate procedures were enacted in this instance. On arrival, the fire and rescue services concluded that once straw not effected by the fire were removed, the most appropriate action was to simply control the burn and limit damage to persons in attendance. I wish to reassure the public we are doing all we can to ensure this doesn’t happen again and are working closely with the emergency services to control the incident and learn any lessons which are concluded.

– Mike Harrison, Sleaford REP Communications Manager

Three males arrested on suspicion of arson over Sleaford fire

The fire destroyed 12,000 half-tonne bales of staw Credit: Twin Focus Photography

Three juveniles, all males, have been arrested on suspicion of arson. One boy, who was arrested yesterday, has since been released on police bail while the two other individuals will be spoken to by officers in due course.

Dramatic footage of the fire shows 12,000 bales of fire ablaze.

Local diversions are in place and motorists are asked to avoid the area until the road is re-opened.

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