Residents affected by smoke from a fire at the Lismore Recycling & Recovery Centre in Wyrallah Road, East Lismore, are being advised to stay indoors or use a respirator if venturing outside.
The fire occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning in the compost piles and the Materials Recovery Facility where recyclable materials including plastics are processed. It is believed the combination of the pasteurising compost and strong winds set the compost piles smouldering, which later ignited the Materials Recovery Facility building.
Emergency service personnel contained the blaze within the Materials Recovery Facility by midday Sunday (11 August 2019) however the compost piles continue to smoulder and this is likely to continue until the current windy conditions abate. Once the wind subsides the compost stockpiles can be safely agitated and saturated with water.
No-one was injured in the incident but smoke from the fire could potentially be harmful to people with respiratory or lung problems, and residents that can smell or see smoke are urged to stay indoors with windows and doors closed until the smoke subsides.
People with asthma who can see or smell smoke can collect free respirators at the Bunnings trade desk by showing ID with a residential address within or around Lismore.
The Lismore Pound has been unaffected by the fire and the animals in care are unharmed, with staff monitoring their safety and wellbeing.
Waste collection will continue as normal across the city however there may be delays to pick-up times and residents are urged to be patient and leave bins out until they are emptied.
The Materials Recovery Facility is currently inoperable and needs to be assessed for damage. This assessment is unable to take place until the fire is fully extinguished and the site can be safely inspected.
Council will transport waste to other facilities in the Northern Rivers and Queensland while the Lismore Recycling & Recovery Centre is inoperable. The Lismore Recycling & Recovery Centre and the Lismore Rainforest Botanic Gardens will remain closed until further notice.
The Brewster Street Drop-off Centre has been temporarily closed as skips are currently full. It will be reopened on Wednesday (August 14 2019).
Community information:
- A fire broke out at the Lismore Recycling & Recovery Centre at Wyrallah Road, East Lismore, early on Sunday morning (August 11 2019).
- The fire has been extinguished by emergency service crews but the compost piles continue to smoulder and produce smoke.
- Community members that can see or smell smoke should stay indoors with windows and doors closed or use a respirator outside. Residents should turn off heating and cooling systems if these draw air from outside.
- People with asthma who can see or smell smoke can collect free respirators at the Bunnings trade desk by showing ID with a residential address within or around Lismore.
- Waste collections remain as normal across the city but there may be delays to pick-up times and residents are urged to be patient and leave bins out until they are collected.
- The Brewster Street Drop-off Centre is temporarily closed and will reopen on Wednesday (August 14 2019).
- The Lismore Recycling & Recovery Centre and the Lismore Rainforest Botanic Gardens are closed until further notice.
If you can smell smoke, please note:
- Smoke can affect people’s health.
- People with pre-existing health problems, heart or lung conditions (including asthma), children, pregnant women and older people are more sensitive to the effects of breathing in smoke.
Source: Lismore City Council