§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what investigations have been conducted by Her Majesty's inspectorate into the recent fire at Whitley incinerator, Coventry, and what measures have been taken to reassure the local residents over the question of public health safety. [22279]
§ Mr. ClappisonHer Majesty's inspectorate of pollution, HMIP, is investigating the fire which occurred on 8 March at the Whitley incinerator.
It has asked for a report of the incident from the company. Initial investigations suggest that the fire may have started as a result of a power failure causing the extraction fans to stop. This led to the combustion chambers in the incinerators becoming pressurised, causing hot material such as sparks to be thrown out of the combustion chamber which set light to unincinerated refuse in the main bunker.
The investigation is targeted at identifying the causes of the incident in order that a recurrence can be prevented. HMIP is also co-operating with the local council and the 534W public health department in their investigations into the possible health effect of the fire, and will consider these findings in relation to any further action.
§ Mr CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many fires at waste incinerators there have been in the past five years. [22284]
§ Mr. ClappisonFires at waste incinerators are infrequent, but records of the number of such incidents are not kept either locally or centrally by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution.