Leeds toxin fears quashed after ‘deliberate’ scrapyard fire - as city road re-opens
Fears that a ‘deliberate’ fire at a Lees scrapyard could have exposed toxins have been quashed, after a visit by the Environment Agency.
Fire crews have left the scene following the huge blaze in Copley Hill, Holbeck. Emergency services were called at around 9pm on Sunday (March 1) - as residents were urged to keep their doors and windows shut.
The road remained closed yesterday (March 2) as firefighters continued to monitor for hotspots at the scene. Customers arriving for MOT at Champion Auto Care were allowed through the cordon.
In an update, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue has confirmed that the incident is now ‘finished’. Meanwhile, Leeds City Council’s traffic account announced that the road had re-opened on Monday afternoon.
Our reporter at the scene was told by police that there were concerns about toxins, and officers from the Environment Agency arrived to investigate.
In an update, a spokesperson for the agency confirmed to the YEP: “Environment Agency officers have attended the site of a fire and confirmed there were no concerns about toxic/hazardous materials.”
As previously reported, Leeds CID confirmed that the fire is believed to have been started deliberately and that as of yesterday enquiries were on-going.
A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police said: “Anyone with any information or footage which may assist is asked to contact West Yorkshire Police online at https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/LiveChat or by calling 101 quoting reference 13250683598.
“Alternatively, call independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”