Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

at 22/03/2009 16:14

Cornwall’s fire service is warning the public about the dangers of fly tipping after crews attended a hazardous waste incident this week at North Cliffs car park, Tehidy.

Fire crews, along with police and ambulance crews were called out at around 7.30am to reports of drums that had been dumped at the site and were leaking liquid. Upon arrival, five, 45 gallon drums were discovered, all of which were full of an unidentified and potentially hazardous substance.

Fire crews wore special chemical suits to handle the waste, which then had to be disposed of safely.

Speaking of the incident, Area Manager Steve Brown said, “We were alarmed upon arriving at the car park to see these potentially very dangerous drums that had been dumped in a public place. Two of the drums had cracked, leaking an unidentified substance and two of the five drums were marked ‘methanol’ which is a very dangerous flammable substance.

This kind of anti social behaviour not only costs the county money, but also endangers the public and the environment. Several crews had to be deployed, using specialist chemical suits that have to be sent away in order to be made safe, at a cost, as well as the cost of disposing of the waste itself. Not only that, but had the public or an animal come into contact with this waste the results could have been disastrous.”

The fire brigade are urging the public to be vigilant in spotting potential fly tippers, and to call 999 immediately. It must be stressed that specially trained officers handle these kinds of incidents and under no circumstances should members of the public who see dumped waste attempt to move or dispose of it themselves.