Firefighters are continuing to tackle a major fire at Sutton Courtenay landfill in Oxfordshire, with concerns that waste is continuing to burn deep beneath the surface. The blaze now appears to be largely contained at the site, but the incident is far from over as crews work to establish the extent of the underground fire. Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service is understood to be setting up a substantial pumping operation, drawing water from a nearby lake to provide firefighters with an additional water supply. The nature of the site means pockets of burning waste beneath the surface could prove particularly difficult to reach and extinguish.
Concerns fire could continue for some time
There is a history of fires at the Sutton Courtenay landfill, including an incident in 2022. Another major fire around two decades ago reportedly required weeks of excavation before burning material deep within the landfill could be completely extinguished. The extent of the current underground fire has not yet been established, raising the possibility that firefighters could remain at the site for a prolonged period. Crews are expected to continue monitoring hotspots and tackling burning material as the operation progresses.
Air quality concerns as smoke continues
Smoke from the landfill has also raised concerns about air quality in surrounding communities. Residents who can see or smell smoke are being advised to keep their windows and doors closed and follow any instructions issued by the emergency services. The incident comes during a particularly demanding period for firefighters, with hot and dry conditions increasing the risk and potential spread of fires across the region. While the visible fire at Sutton Courtenay appears to have been brought largely under control, burning waste beneath the surface means the incident could take considerable time to fully extinguish. Further updates are expected as firefighters assess the scale of the remaining fire.
Originally published by UKNIP.
