INVESTIGATIONS are under way to pinpoint the cause of a fire at Hafod Quarry Landfill in Johnstown last week as the site prepares to reopen.

The fire, which started on the evening of May 27 was extinguished by North Wales Fire and Rescue Service (NWFRS) over the weekend.

Fire crews from Johnstown, Wrexham, Llangollen, Ellesmere, Chirk and Llangollen were mobilised to tackle the blaze.

During that time people living in and near Bangor Road were asked to adhere to the advice issued by Public Health Wales to stay indoors with their windows closed until it was safe to open them and go out into their gardens once again.

The site has since been closely monitored to ensure the safety and wellbeing of local residents.

Industry and Waste Regulation Team Leader at Natural Resources Wales (NRW), Julia Frost said: “This was a serious incident and NRW officers continue to work closely with NWFRS following the fire, who will now investigate the cause of the fire.

“NRW’s investigation will focus on environmental permit compliance leading up to the fire. The owner of the site, Enovert has provided NRW with an action plan detailing the work it has carried out on the infrastructure since the fire and the additional measures it has put in place to minimise the risk of future fires.”

Simon Bromley, from NWFRS, said: “This fire put tremendous pressure on our resources for a protracted period, at a time when we are focusing on reducing demand - our aim now is to ensure that everything is done to prevent a reoccurance.”

Following detailed discussions between NRW, Enovert and NWFRS the site will reopen this week for the acceptance of a small number of pre agreed waste streams. Full disposal activities will commence next week, subject to compliance with the agreed site Action Plan. The waste will not be deposited in the same area affected by the fire.

Anyone who may have any environmental concerns can get in touch with Natural Resources Wales by calling 0300 065 3000, which is open 24 hours day.

Wrexham Council, which has no financial or commercial interests in the site, is seeking assurances about safety.

Lead Member for Environment and Transport, Cllr David A Bithell, has written to the Welsh Government Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths.

He said: “Many residents in the surrounding communities have raised significant concerns about the future safety of the site and are concerned for the well-being of their families and loved ones with the threat of further fire outbreaks at the Hafod site."

A petition has also been started to close the site.