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Fire breaks out at landfill site Fire breaks out at landfill site
(about 2 hours later)
Black plumes of smoke from the fire were visible for miles around Smoke from the fire was visible for miles around
More than 50 firefighters have been called to a fire at a landfill site in east Cornwall which has been declared a major incident by emergency crews.More than 50 firefighters have been called to a fire at a landfill site in east Cornwall which has been declared a major incident by emergency crews.
Cornwall Fire Service sent seven crews to the site at Lean Quarry, east of Liskeard, after the alarm was raised at about 0430 BST.Cornwall Fire Service sent seven crews to the site at Lean Quarry, east of Liskeard, after the alarm was raised at about 0430 BST.
People nearby in the village of Horningtops were told to stay inside because of burning plastic concerns. People nearby in the village of Horningtops were told to stay inside because of burning plastic.
Black plumes of smoke have been visible for miles around the site. Smoke has been visible for miles around the site.
Smoke also blew across the A38 after it broke out because early morning fog and low cloud prevented it from dispersing, site managers said. Smoke also blew across the A38 when the fire started because early morning fog and low cloud prevented it from dispersing, site managers said.
Gas extractionGas extraction
The site, privately run by the waste company Viridor, takes industrial and domestic waste from Plymouth and Cornwall.The site, privately run by the waste company Viridor, takes industrial and domestic waste from Plymouth and Cornwall.
The fire broke out at the eastern end of the tip and firefighters from Devon were also called to the scene.The fire broke out at the eastern end of the tip and firefighters from Devon were also called to the scene.
Firefighters have been taking water from a lagoon on the site to tackle it.Firefighters have been taking water from a lagoon on the site to tackle it.
Firefighters said there was a considerable risk from methane, a gas that builds up naturally in landfill sites, and were monitoring the situation closely.Firefighters said there was a considerable risk from methane, a gas that builds up naturally in landfill sites, and were monitoring the situation closely.
Firefighters from Devon and Cornwall were called to the sceneFirefighters from Devon and Cornwall were called to the scene
Viridor site manager Terry Farrant said the site's full-time methane extraction equipment was still being used to remove gas, but that it might have to be shut down if the fire got any closer to any pumps.Viridor site manager Terry Farrant said the site's full-time methane extraction equipment was still being used to remove gas, but that it might have to be shut down if the fire got any closer to any pumps.
The site has been shut as an area of about 1.5 hectares of waste was burning, he added.
A number of small bangs have been heard by site staff. They were believed to be aerosol cans exploding, Mr Farrant said.A number of small bangs have been heard by site staff. They were believed to be aerosol cans exploding, Mr Farrant said.
The cause of the fire is not yet known. Mr Farrant added the recent hot weather may have contributed, but that was not certain.The cause of the fire is not yet known. Mr Farrant added the recent hot weather may have contributed, but that was not certain.
Nearby Trewidland Primary School and Trenode Church of England School did not to open until 1000 BST because of the fire.Nearby Trewidland Primary School and Trenode Church of England School did not to open until 1000 BST because of the fire.