Villagers claim they were left in dark over ‘explosion’ which shut road …
Villagers have voiced concerns after a lorry carrying “volatile items” burst into flames. The A525 near Bangor-on-Dee, in Wrexham, has been shut for since the incident, which happened in the early hours of Thursday, June 29.
A stretch of the road between the Overton and Worthenbury turn-offs was severely damaged in the blaze and has been undergoing emergency repairs. The route is set to reopen this evening (Tuesday) from 8pm, according to Wrexham Xouncil. A video filmed at the scene around the time of incident showed a lorry completely engulfed in flames.
Another, shot further away, captured a large explosion while flames raged and plumes of smoke poured out of the heavy goods vehicle. North Wales Fire and Rescue Service issued a statement on the fire late on Tuesday – five days after the incident – confirming that the HGV had been carrying chemicals, paints, resins, batteries, aerosols and cylinders when the blaze broke out.
A spokesman for the service said that they and other agencies investigating the impact of the fire now believe that there is little risk to both public health and the environment. But local residents who live near the scene say they have spent days worrying about the potential effects of the blaze and have received scant information from the authorities in the aftermath of the incident.
Ciara and her husband Mike, who live next to where the incident happened, went to the scene to see if they could help. “The lorry was about 100 meters away from my house, adjacent to my land,” said Ciara.
“My husband and I went to the scene. We have animals and livestock on our land.
Debris after a lorry caught fire in Bangor-on-Dee
“It was on fire and by the time we got there, projectiles were coming off and setting mini fires on our land. There was a sound like fireworks going off.
“We got a hose to try and put them out and to wet the hedge, but it wouldn’t reach properly. We could see that the lorry driver had got out of the cab and somebody was helping him.
“There were other neighbours out and cars had stopped at the scene that were assisting with traffic. Then at one point there was this explosion and me and my husband were blown off our feet.
“A big piece of metal came past and missed us by a few meters and hit the house. The smell was awful from the fire and chemicals. There also a chemical pool that had formed round the house and on the road.”
Video Loading
Video Unavailable
Click to play Tap to play
The video will auto-play soon8Cancel
Ciara said industrial cleaners later turned up to clean the entire surrounding area while other workers laboured to change water pipes near the couple’s property. We were told not to hold my baby’s first birthday party outside on the garden,” she said.
“We were also told not to pick up any of the debris on our land and specialist cleaners have been on [the land] instead to do it. Also we have nothing in writing with which to go to insurance companies with.
“It is vey concerning. We still don’t know if the water is safe for my baby to drink.”
Local businessman Andy McCann said: “The community is concerned about any potential impact on the environment. And what I have been particularly concerned about is the lack of communication.
“The council should have appointed a liaison officer to communicate with the community to avoid any rumours spreading and to keep us informed.”
Cllr Robert Ian Williams, who praised the efforts of the fire service, said: “We just want transparency and answers. We were told it was a minor issue, but if it’s a minor issue why was the road been shut for days?
“We still don’t know who the lorry belonged to and what it was carrying. We don’t know if it has affected the water supply. One resident was told not drink her water. The community are very concerned about the impact on the local environment.”
David Powell, Natural Resources Wales Operations Manager for North East Wales, said: “We are continuing to support and advise Wrexham[2] County Borough Council on the clean-up following the fire involving a heavy good vehicle on Whitchurch Road, Bangor[3] on Dee, in the early hours of Thursday 29 June.
Debris after a lorry caught fire in Bangor-on-Dee
“NRW officers have been out to check local watercourses to ensure that any environmental impacts are minimised.”
In a statement issued online late on Tuesday, a spokesman for the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: “Following concerns raised by the public, we are looking to reassure local residents following an incident involving a Heavy Goods Vehicle on fire on the A525 Whitchurch Road, Bangor on Dee in the early hours of last Thursday morning (29th June).
“Crews attended a fire involving a heavy goods vehicle carrying potentially volatile items including chemicals, paints, resins, batteries, aerosols and cylinders. Crews tackled the fire using hose reels and main jets and where possible, contained the volatile load.
“The fire involved a number of explosions which could be heard in the local area. During the incident, a joint risk assessment was undertaken with Natural Resources Wales to mitigate the environmental impacts.
“Specialist recovery and cleaning contractors recovered the vehicle, contained fire water and residues from the drainage system and removed remaining loads. Following damage to the area of road involved, Wrexham County Borough Council have resurfaced the road and our understanding is that it will be open later today.
“We and our partner agencies believe that the risk to public health and the local environment is low, both in the short and long term. We’d like to thank our partners in Natural Resources Wales, Public Health Wales and Wrexham County Borough Council for working with us and helping us bring the incident to a safe conclusion. Should any individuals require further information, please contact us at [email protected].
Wrexham Council said it expected the road to be re-opened by 8pm on Tuesday. Hafren Dyfrydy water company have been approached for comment.
See what’s happening in your area: