Firefighters are advising recycling plants on how to store rubbish to prevent fires. It comes just two weeks after the biggest fire the West Midlands has ever seen. A Chinese lantern landed on thousands of tonnes of rubbish at a centre in Smethwick.
The Chief Fire Officer for the West Midlands has said:
"We asked for a sensible conversation about sky lanterns with sensible people, and we are really pleased that Poundland have stepped up to the plate.
This will make a direct contributon to public safety. We welcome it, and call on other responsible retailers to follow suit as soon as possible.
Our firefighters showed great skill and courage in controlling this enormous fire. We were at the scene for days. Poundland’s decision means their efforts were not in vain.”
Northamptonshire's Arson Task Force is warning local residents about floating lanterns following the fire at a Smethwick recycling plant.
Around 50,000 tonnes of plastic recycling material and a factory is on fire in Smethwick.