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How long can fires burn? | How long can fires burn? |
(2 days later) | |
It was declared a "public nuisance" but after burning for almost seven months the compost fire in Beenham, Berkshire, has finally been extinguished. | It was declared a "public nuisance" but after burning for almost seven months the compost fire in Beenham, Berkshire, has finally been extinguished. |
So, just how long can fires burn? | So, just how long can fires burn? |
The blaze at the abandoned Good2Grow recycling centre started on 30 November last year and was put out on 21 June. | The blaze at the abandoned Good2Grow recycling centre started on 30 November last year and was put out on 21 June. |
But that is no match for the world record for the longest-burning fire which is believed to have started around 5,000 years ago at a coal seam beneath Mount Wingen in New South Wales, Australia, and is still smouldering. | But that is no match for the world record for the longest-burning fire which is believed to have started around 5,000 years ago at a coal seam beneath Mount Wingen in New South Wales, Australia, and is still smouldering. |
"Lightning struck the coal seam where it reached the Earth's surface," said a spokesman for Guinness World Records. | "Lightning struck the coal seam where it reached the Earth's surface," said a spokesman for Guinness World Records. |
"Today, the fire is now burning around 30m (100ft) underground, as it has slowly eaten away at the seam." | "Today, the fire is now burning around 30m (100ft) underground, as it has slowly eaten away at the seam." |
In Hertfordshire, fire crews were on site for 15 days in Hemel Hempstead when a "deep-seated fire" burned in a large pile of recycled timber in November last year. | In Hertfordshire, fire crews were on site for 15 days in Hemel Hempstead when a "deep-seated fire" burned in a large pile of recycled timber in November last year. |
"How long can fires burn? How long is a piece of string? | "How long can fires burn? How long is a piece of string? |
"As long as there is a fuel supply and oxygen to supply it, a fire can burn indefinitely," said Steve Tant, policy support officer for the Chief Fire Officers' Association operations directorate. | "As long as there is a fuel supply and oxygen to supply it, a fire can burn indefinitely," said Steve Tant, policy support officer for the Chief Fire Officers' Association operations directorate. |
He said the fire service would "never walk away" from a burning fire which is likely to endanger life, property or affect the economy. | He said the fire service would "never walk away" from a burning fire which is likely to endanger life, property or affect the economy. |
Underground fires tend to burn longest, he said. | Underground fires tend to burn longest, he said. |
"They have the right conditions, particularly if they are on a coal seam where there is a constant fuel source. | "They have the right conditions, particularly if they are on a coal seam where there is a constant fuel source. |
"The dangers involved in trying to extinguish these types of fires - the risk to life, the environment, not to mention the sheer cost due to the millions of tonnes of water you would need - it's the Devil's own job to get them to go out." | "The dangers involved in trying to extinguish these types of fires - the risk to life, the environment, not to mention the sheer cost due to the millions of tonnes of water you would need - it's the Devil's own job to get them to go out." |
In the US, a fire set in 1884 by striking miners in New Straitsville, Ohio is still burning underground. | In the US, a fire set in 1884 by striking miners in New Straitsville, Ohio is still burning underground. |
Fried eggs | Fried eggs |
"It's now a tourist feature," said Laura Thrapp, president of New Straitsville History Group. | "It's now a tourist feature," said Laura Thrapp, president of New Straitsville History Group. |
"Visitors ask how they can find it - we tell them to look for the smoke billowing up from the fire holes." | "Visitors ask how they can find it - we tell them to look for the smoke billowing up from the fire holes." |
In the 1930s, the government intervened as the fire was beginning to spread to parts of the town. Residents were evacuated and homes demolished. | In the 1930s, the government intervened as the fire was beginning to spread to parts of the town. Residents were evacuated and homes demolished. |
"A barricade was built around the town to try and stop it spreading - the old mine works were dug out and back-filled with clay," said Ms Thrapp. | "A barricade was built around the town to try and stop it spreading - the old mine works were dug out and back-filled with clay," said Ms Thrapp. |
"It should have worked but it did not, and in the 1970s one of the highways had to be moved because it kept sinking." | "It should have worked but it did not, and in the 1970s one of the highways had to be moved because it kept sinking." |
She said residents had been known to brew coffee straight from their wells because the soil was so warm, or even fry eggs over the fire holes. | She said residents had been known to brew coffee straight from their wells because the soil was so warm, or even fry eggs over the fire holes. |
It is estimated the fire, which is currently smouldering under nearby Wayne National Forest and does not pose a threat to infrastructure, could burn for at least another 100 years. | |
UK Coal said one of the biggest underground coal fires in the UK happened last year at Daw Mill Colliery near Coleshill in Warwickshire. | UK Coal said one of the biggest underground coal fires in the UK happened last year at Daw Mill Colliery near Coleshill in Warwickshire. |
Gordon Grant, of UK Coal, said: "It lasted for several weeks and is regarded as one of the biggest fires the industry has seen for at least 30 years. | Gordon Grant, of UK Coal, said: "It lasted for several weeks and is regarded as one of the biggest fires the industry has seen for at least 30 years. |
"It was described by the miners who tackled it as a 'raging inferno'." | "It was described by the miners who tackled it as a 'raging inferno'." |
He described the 50-year-old mining roadways underground as a "huge network". | He described the 50-year-old mining roadways underground as a "huge network". |
"The oxygen supply was turned off the night the fire broke out, which gives you some indication of just how long it took that oxygen to disperse," he said. | "The oxygen supply was turned off the night the fire broke out, which gives you some indication of just how long it took that oxygen to disperse," he said. |
Mr Grant added: "The main thing is no-one was injured." | Mr Grant added: "The main thing is no-one was injured." |
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