Widow calls for fire safety review at recycling site

The widow of a man killed in an explosion at a recycling centre in Perth is backing calls for a fire safety review at the site, following a fourth blaze in four years.

Magda Szmeichel's husband Slawomir, who was known as Slawek, died at the former Shore recycling centre in February 2023.

On Tuesday fire crews battled another blaze at the site, which is under new ownership.

Recycling firm Enva said it is investigating the blaze which closed the nearby Friarton Bridge and brought parts of the city to a standstill.

Mrs Szmeichel told BBC Scotland News "every day was a challenge" since her husband's death.

In addition to the fatal fire in 2023, there were blazes at the site in April 2021 and September 2022.

Mrs Szmeichel said Slawek was a "loving, caring and bubbly" partner and father to their son.

But she said she felt left in the dark by the lack of updates on the investigation into his death.

Mrs Szmeichel said she had not heard anything since the Police Scotland probe concluded last spring.

And the widow said an update on the firm's fire safety procedures was urgently needed to ensure no family had to experience what she had been through.

"Every day is like a challenge because every day I just wake up and try to pull myself to have the strength," she told BBC Scotland News.

"When I heard about the latest fire, I felt exactly the same as two years ago in February, I just couldn't believe something similar was happening again.

"The worst day for us happened, but I don't want any other family to be in our position."

The latest fire broke out at about 03:00 on Tuesday and forced the closure of the Friarton Bridge, which is directly above the site, for almost ten hours due to smoke from the blaze.

Recycling firm Enva - which has operated the site since December 2023 - said the fire broke out in an exterior storage bay and that the likely cause was a waste battery.

The company said fire safety was of "paramount importance" and added it had invested more than £6m in the facility.

A spokesperson said: "Firstly, the whole Enva team fully understand the concerns of the public, especially given the history of the site, and reiterate our apology to our neighbours and the public affected by the incident on Tuesday."

It added that the site's design and containment measures "worked effectively" to stop it spreading to the main recycling facility or other buildings.

The firm said the incident would be the subject of an "immediate and thorough investigation".

The spokesperson said: "We are confident that the site design, which incorporates new and improved fire detection and management systems, makes it one of the UK's safest e-waste recycling facilities."

Mrs Szmeichel said the impact on the local community could also have been devastating due to the closure of the bridge.

She said: "There might be a lady pregnant, going to hospital or someone going to a funeral, to appointments, surgeries, they cannot get there to their destination.

"It is just something that is not acceptable in my view.

"Regardless of what happens, it is not going to bring my husband back.

"But in my view there is nothing more important to look at to make sure this doesn't repeat. No one should be at risk in places like that."

Jayne Crawford, a partner with Thompsons solicitors who represent the family, said: ''The occurrence of yet another fire at these premises, two years after the tragic, avoidable death of Mr Szmeichel brings into sharp focus the need for a fatal accident inquiry or prosecution to advance.

"Clearly the workplace in question is crying out for the sort of recommendations a fatal accident inquiry will provide to prevent recurrences.''

A Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) spokesperson said: "The Procurator Fiscal appreciates the distress and frustration that bereaved families can feel when waiting for answers.

"A joint investigation by Police Scotland and the Health and Safety Executive is ongoing and once complete will be fully considered by the Procurator Fiscal.

"The family will continue to be kept updated in relation to any significant developments."

Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser has called for a review of safety at the centre.

He said: "There is clearly an issue with the fire risk there.

"As we have seen, the consequences of fires there are horrendous.

"We also have to ask how appropriate it is to have a centre like this located so close to a major trunk road, given the impact on journeys."