Major Barrow Recycling Fire Now Being Treated as Suspicious
Police are investigating a major fire at a Barrow recycling centre after the blaze was reassessed and is now being treated as suspicious.
Around 60 firefighters and ten fire engines responded to Sinkfall Skip Hire and Recycling on Rakesmoor Lane after the alarm was raised at approximately 9.40pm on Friday, July 31.
Early information suggested that the fire had started accidentally. However, following further examination of the scene, police are now investigating the circumstances surrounding the blaze.
Treating the incident as suspicious does not confirm that the fire was started deliberately. It means officers believe the cause requires further investigation.
What Has Changed Since the Original Fire?
Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service initially recorded the fire as accidental while crews continued dealing with the incident.
The latest update marks a significant change. Cumbria Police is now involved and the cause is being investigated as suspicious.
Fire investigators often need to wait until a site is safe before carrying out a detailed examination. At a recycling facility, this can take time because fire may continue burning beneath large piles of material.
The affected waste may also need to be moved before investigators can reach the area where the fire is believed to have started.
Police have not announced any arrests or identified a suspect. It has also not been confirmed what evidence led to the fire being treated as suspicious.
Huge Emergency Response to Rakesmoor Lane
The fire led to one of the largest emergency responses seen in the Barrow area in recent months.
At the height of the incident, the operation included:
- Around 60 firefighters
- Ten fire engines
- Two water bowsers
- A turntable ladder
- Specialist fire service equipment
Crews worked through the night to bring the blaze under control. Large flames and a thick plume of smoke could be seen from across Barrow and Furness.
Firefighters remained at the site into the following day to damp down burning material, find hidden hotspots and reduce the risk of the fire starting again.
No injuries were reported.
Road Closed and Residents Warned About Smoke
Park Road was closed between the Abbey Road roundabout and the Dalton bypass while emergency crews dealt with the incident.
The restriction allowed fire engines and specialist vehicles to reach Rakesmoor Lane safely. It also kept motorists away from the smoke and the main emergency response.
People living nearby were advised to close their windows and doors due to the large smoke plume. Residents were also asked to avoid the area while crews worked at the recycling site.
The most intensive stage of the firefighting operation has now ended, allowing investigators to examine the scene more closely.
Why Can Recycling-Site Fires Take So Long to Investigate?
Recycling centres can contain large amounts of tightly stored waste. A fire can spread deep inside a pile, even when the flames visible from outside have been extinguished.
Crews may need to separate and move tonnes of waste to find remaining pockets of heat. This process can continue for several days.
The heat, smoke, water and movement of material during firefighting can also make it more difficult to establish where a blaze began. Investigators must carefully examine the available evidence before deciding on the most likely cause.
Suspicious Does Not Mean Arson Has Been Proven
The latest classification does not mean police have confirmed that an arson offence took place.
A suspicious fire is one where the circumstances cannot currently be explained as a clear accident or where investigators have identified something requiring further enquiries.
Police will need to gather enough evidence before determining whether the fire was deliberately started and whether any criminal offence was committed.
Until that investigation is complete, the exact cause remains unconfirmed.
Investigation Continues
Police enquiries into the Sinkfall Recycling fire remain ongoing. No arrests have been reported and officers have not announced when the investigation is likely to conclude.
Anyone who witnessed suspicious activity near Rakesmoor Lane around the time of the fire should contact Cumbria Police.
Information can be submitted through the Cumbria Police online reporting service or by calling 101. Anyone who believes there is an immediate danger should call 999.
