Dewsbury blaze finally out - after a month

The blaze, at a waste site on Ravenswharfe Road, Scout Hill, had been smouldering since it broke out on February 7.

The incident tied up thousands of pounds worth of firefighting resources and equipment - with three fire engines and an aerial appliance in attendance at the site every day.

A spokeswoman for West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said the fire could not be left to burn itself out due to its proximity to housing and industrial premises.

It was finally extinguished after the Environment Agency and Kirklees Council moved rubbish and demolished an unsafe structure to help firefighters reach the seat of the blaze.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Steve Beckley, director of operations at West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, said all the staff involved in dealing with the blaze showed "true professionalism throughout" the incident.

Councillor David Ridgway, chair of the Fire Authority, added: "I know that due to the location of the fire, and in the interests of public safety, firefighters have had to be there around the clock, working long hours in difficult conditions.

"I would like to express my sincere thanks to all concerned for their magnificent efforts in dealing with one of the longest-running incidents in our recent history."

Councillor Mehboob Khan, leader of Kirklees Council, said: "This was potentially a very serious incident and the swift action of everyone involved is to be applauded."