A FINAL bid to stop a fire which has been burning at a recycling plant for a month will cost £250,000.

The public purse will initially cover the cost of demolishing two fire-damaged bays at Lawrence Recycling, near Kidderminster, to allow firefighters to douse material still burning more than four weeks after catching fire on June 16.

The cost is being met by the Environment Agency, Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, Wyre Forest District Council and Worcestershire County Council because the company is currently unable to meet the costs. Unburnt waste is already being removed from the main building at the Stourport Road site and taken to landfill.

Firefighters will then douse the burning material to put out the fire, with the run-off water captured in ‘interceptor’ traps and taken away by the Environment Agency to be be disposed of elsewhere.

Special equipment will be sent to the site today to minimise dust and smoke ahead of Monday’s demolition.

The dousing will start soon after and it is expected the fire will be out next week.

The cause of the fire remains unknown.

“We have continuously reviewed the situation regarding putting out the fire, while protecting public health and the environment,” said Ian Miller, chief executive of Wyre Forest District Council.

“The recent hot weather, changes to water levels and temperatures resulted in different conditions for the agencies to consider.

“Coupled with information that the fire was likely to burn for longer than first estimated, we have taken decisive action to bring it to an end more quickly.”

Disturbing the burning material and moving it before dousing is likely to temporarily increase smoke coming from the site. Wyre Forest District Council, however, says it is organising further air quality monitoring during this time with results published in due course.

Public Health England has confirmed its advice to residents that the risks to their health are low.