Emergency services responded to a large fire that broke out at a battery recycling plant in the late evening of Monday 8 April 2024.
Around 40 firefighters from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) were in attendance at the height of the incident, which took place at Fenix Battery Recycling in Kilwinning, North Ayrshire. It is understood that SFRS was notified of the fire after an alarm was raised. The severity of the blaze led to a multi-agency response from the likes of Police Scotland, SFRS, SEPA, Public Health, NHS Ayrshire and Arran, and North Ayrshire Council.
Police Scotland North Ayrshire confirmed that “shelter at home” advice had been issued to locals while the incident was being dealt with, adding: “There has been no requirement to evacuate residents. This will be kept under review.”
While there were no reported casualties, SFRS Area Commander Jim Quinn said: “While smoke continues to be visible, we would ask that residents remain at home, and keep windows and doors closed as a precaution.
“If travelling through smoke, motorists should keep windows closed, turn off air conditioning and keep their air vents closed.”
Video footage shared by Sky News shows a considerable blaze and huge plumes of smoke issuing from the site.
SFRS remained at the site for several days tackling the fire: three fire appliances and a height vehicle were at the scene on Tuesday working to extinguish the fire. On Wednesday, residents were warned of an increase in smoke plumage coming from the site, with Area Commander Ian McMeekin, Local Senior Officer for East, North and South Ayrshire, explaining: “Residents may notice an increase in activity while we work to gain access to the site. Do not be alarmed if you see an increase in smoke. The fire within the site will remain under control as we work to bring the incident to a conclusion.” By Thursday 11 April, two fire appliances were at the scene, where “dampening down efforts” were in progress.
Speaking to BBC Scotland News, Fenix Battery Recycling’s Damian Lambkin thanked the emergency services for their “prompt and professional” response to the incident:
"While the cause of the fire is still under investigation, we are fully cooperating with the authorities by providing all necessary information and support and Fenix Battery Recycling will continue to liaise closely with emergency services, regulatory bodies, and local authorities throughout the ongoing incident."