Fire at Viridor’s recycling plant sees stock and buildings destroyed

A fire that broke out at Viridor’s Plastics Recycling Facility (PRF) in Rochester on 7th June has destroyed approximately 500 tonnes of input stock and an office building.

Viridor said in a statement that “all emergency safety procedures were correctly followed” and nobody was injured.

The fire on the Medway Business Estate, Kent, broke out at around 18:00 hours, with ten fire engines, a height vehicle and other specialist equipment in attendance during the height of operations.

Kent Fire and Rescue said crews managed to contain the fire to the area of unprocessed plastic waste where it had started, and protect the recycling plant itself.

Eyewitnesses reported seeing large plumes of black smoke, which were circulated on various social media websites.

The fire service advised residents to close doors and windows as a precaution. The Environment Agency were contacted immediately and informed of the incident.

Viridor said the cause of the fire “is under investigation at this stage”, and that it will “work closely with the Emergency Services to complete a thorough and detailed investigation.”

It said it would “contact customers to make alternative arrangements throughout the course of the day.”