Lancaster fire: Blaze could burn for months if no help given - MP

An MP has urged the government to help with a huge fire which has been burning for 10 days at a site containing 13,000 tonnes of compacted waste.

The blaze broke out at the former SupaSkips site on Port Royal Avenue, Lancaster, on 3 December.

At Prime Minister's Questions, Lancaster and Fleetwood MP Cat Smith said the council had been left with the tab and had spent £262,000 so far.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he would arrange an urgent meeting.

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS) said the fire was deep-seated in the large quantities of compacted waste in the building and it was going to take considerable time and resources to extinguish.

People who live close to the site of the fire are still being advised to avoid the site and residents are being urged to seek medical help if the smoke is making them feel ill, the fire service said.

Ms Smith said: "There are plumes of smoke covering our city.

"Lancaster City Council has been left to pick up the tab and to date they have spent £262,000."

The Labour MP continued: "Without government support and intervention this fire will burn for several months.

"So will the Prime Minister support my local council with swift government support?"

Mr Sunak did not make any promises about financial help but he said he would arrange an urgent meeting.

Lancashire Police said a 36-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of arson on 6 December and later bailed.

Inquiries are ongoing, the force added.

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