A huge recycling centre blaze was confirmed to have been caused by a waste battery, resulting in the closure of the M90 in both directions. Emergency services hurried to the scene on Lower Friarton Road in Perth after receiving an alarm at around 3am on Tuesday. Due to the significant amount of smoke, police shut down Friarton Bridge, which spans over the River Tay, in both directions. Enva, the operator of the site, stated that the fire broke out in one of the exterior storage bays and that it was contained.
Although an investigation is planned, initial indications from the recycling centre operator suggest that a waste battery triggered the fire in the reception area designated for incoming electrical waste. The fire took place during the early hours of Tuesday morning. An Enva spokesperson mentioned, “At around 3 AM this morning, a fire was reported in one of the e-waste recycling centre’s exterior storage bays. Scottish Fire and Rescue are in attendance with the fire under control. There are no injuries reported, and the site’s design and fire containment measures worked effectively, ensuring the fire did not spread to the main recycling facility or other buildings.”
Enva expressed gratitude to the Scottish Fire and Rescue team for their assistance and apologised to nearby residents for any inconvenience caused. Residents were advised to keep their windows and doors shut as a precaution. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and the M90 has since reopened. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service reported that they were informed at 3.04am about the fire and dispatched four fire appliances and specialist resources to the scene. As of the latest update, three fire appliances and specialist resources remain on site. To ensure safety, people are advised to avoid the area and keep their windows and doors closed in nearby homes.
In conclusion, the recycling centre blaze in Perth, caused by a waste battery, led to the closure of the M90 as emergency services responded swiftly to contain the situation. Thankfully, no injuries were reported, and the fire was controlled without spreading to other facilities. It serves as a reminder of the importance of proper waste disposal and safety measures in recycling centres to prevent such incidents in the future.