Sprinklers save recycling plant in Kidderminster whilst Hastings Pier burns

A sprinkler system helped to save a 25,000 m2 recycling plant from major fire damage in Kidderminster, Worcstershire whilst yet another pier is savaged by flames.

The fire in the recycling plant originated from a waste conveyor belt and quickly operated the automatic sprinkler system which alerted the emergency services.  The sprinklers controlled the fire until the fire brigade arrived to extinguish it. The building was undamaged as a result of the blaze.

Mick Cadman, of Hereford and Worcester Fire Rescue Service, said: “Thanks to the sprinkler system and the early intervention of our fire crews, the fire was contained to just one area.”

** The storey was different on the South Coast. **

Arsonists are suspected to have started the fire on Hasting’s victorian pier which was 95% destroyed in the inferno.

The East Sussex pier is the latest pier to have been involved in such an incident.  Other notable pier fires include Brighton’s West Pier and Weston-Super-Mare’s Grand Pier both of which were destroyed in such a blaze.  Fortunately no-one was injured in the disaster.

Southend-On-Sea Borough Council have recently made the decision to install fire sprinklers and fire hydrants throughout the world famous Southend Pier to protect it from such a catastrophe; surely other councils will follow suit.