Accident claims ablaze after fire mishap
Accident claims by South Kessock residents revealed that a raging fire which caused the roof of a warehouse to explode at a haulage firm, was an accident waiting to happen.
The disaster also showered nearby homes in ash and potentially toxic dust when the accident took place.
The claim haulage firm had been burning rubbish at the depot on Carsegate Road North for months and just three weeks ago, one couple were forced to call fire-fighters when they feared a blaze was out of control.
The most recent accident saw 27 fire-fighters battling to extinguish the burning pallet store on the morning of the incident while nearby residents and companies were evacuated.
The roof of the warehouse, which is thought to have contained asbestos, exploded as the blaze wreaked havoc inside, causing a cloud of thick ash and dust to shower down over nearby homes and business properties.
While most residents were allowed to return home, eight families were forced to sleep in temporary accommodation while a team of specialists assessed the extent of the asbestos contamination.
They were given the all-clear to return home days later as Highland Council issued an advice note to 500 homes and assured people there was a low risk of becoming ill from the potentially toxic dust.
The team of asbestos specialists have, however, remained in the street for most of the week to carry out a thorough clean-up.
Dressed in full, blue chemical suits and face masks they have been searching gardens and clearing toxic particles from about 40 properties.
It is believed the blaze may have been sparked by a controlled fire at the haulage site although an investigation into the cause is ongoing.
Concern that spreads like wild fire
Several Rosehaugh Road evacuees have spoken of the ordeal.
One man who was forced to leave his top floor flat with his partner and four-month-old son, witnessed controlled burning taking place at the haulage yard, like so many of the other residents.
The 29-year-old father said it had been happening regularly since they moved in at the beginning of the year.
Just three weeks ago the night-shift worker called the fire brigade when he saw flames from a rubbish fire spiralling out of control. Fire- fighters subsequently extinguished a quantity of pallets.
"We were concerned about the house and the area. The flames were almost 10 feet high and we did not really know if someone was looking after it," he commented.
Despite the reassurances from the local council, fears are mounting for other residents too, with one worried couple claiming they have to keep their nine-year-old daughter inside because they fear contaminated dust will aggravate her asthma.
The worried parents have described the disaster as chaotic and said they too have been concerned for months about items being burned in the haulage yard.
"This has been waiting to happen. It is lucky no one was hurt. We heard this loud boom and then it was like raining ash. It went from day time to night time because of the smoke. It was so thick and heavy. It was quite frightening," said the 40-year-old mother.
As a precaution they have decided to keep her and older brother aged 11 inside the family home until the clear-up is finished.
The haulage firm refused to comment.
Updated on 02/09/2009