Following a large fire at the Daler-Rowney site in Peacock Lane in Bracknell on Monday 25 May, Bracknell Forest Council is now helping the community to recover.
In incidents like this, it is usual for the initial phase to be led by a blue light service. In this case it was led by The Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service. The recovery phase is then led by the local authority.
Bracknell Forest Council is continuing to focus on recovery and working with various organisations to support the local community, residents who were affected, and assess the environmental impact.
All residents who were evacuated as a precaution have been able to return home. On Friday (29 May) we visited around 100 properties and identified those homes where specialist cleaning was needed. The visits and inspections showed the impact was limited to several properties very close to the source of the fire.
A specialist contractor started the clean-up work over the weekend. The children’s play area in Browning Copse, closed as a precaution, has been cleaned and is now reopened. Contractors are still on site and will be working along the path behind Butler Drive to clean some pools of run off liquid from the fire. The path is currently shut and will reopen once the work has been completed.
While the risk to public health remains low, residents are advised not to collect or move debris from the fire. Those who have already collected debris, should not place it in their general waste bin. Specialists will remove the waste. If it has not already been collected by the specialist contractors, please visit their base in Browning Copse to arrange collection. Please keep this double bagged and separate from bin collection material.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is providing science-based public healthadvice to support the multi-agency response. The risk from the debris to public health remains low.
Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service is carrying out regular ongoing inspections of the site to damp down any remaining hotspots. Residents may see fire engines coming and going from the site as a part of this process.
Daler-Rowney is working with all partners and following all guidance and instructions. The cause of the fire remains unknown at this time.
Following the fire, Daler-Rowney was aware of a leak from the property. They immediately notified the Environment Agency (EA) and have been working under their guidance and supervision ever since. Remediation work is actively under way and making good progress with barriers in place. Additional meetings are taking place with Thames Water on-site to make sure all potential environmental impacts are being addressed comprehensively.
Daler-Rowney would like to acknowledge the extraordinary support received since the fire from their neighbours, the emergency services, local authorities, and from the wider community. They remain grateful to the fire service, Thames Valley Police, South Central Ambulance Service, Berkshire Lowland Search and Rescue, volunteers from Jennett's Park Community Centre, Waitrose, and to all those who have supported residents through this difficult time.
The EA is making sure all remaining contaminated firewater is fully contained and safely removed from the site. They continue to work with Daler-Rowney so further remedial work can be carried out.
The monitoring has confirmed that contaminated firewater entered the surface water system and there is some evidence of environmental impact. This is being closely monitored by the EA. The specific make-up of the firewater is unknown; the results of water samples are expected later this week. In the meantime, it is recommended that the public and their pets avoid contact with contaminated water.
The Environment Agency will continue to closely monitor the situation and work with partners to ensure Daler-Rowney undertakes appropriate remediation. If anyone witnesses any dead or struggling fish, please report it on the free hotline 0800 807060.
Cllr Helen Purnell, leader of Bracknell Forest Council, said:
“We were truly devasted to hear about the fire at Daler-Rowney, and we’re very relieved that no one was injured. Our heartfelt thanks go to everyone who has been involved in the response, especially our incredible emergency services.
“While this has been a tragic incident, it has also been uplifting to see the community come together, supporting one another and looking out for neighbours. We will continue working closely with our partners to make sure any environmental impacts are carefully managed, and to protect our waterways and wildlife over the longer term.”
