Surf Beach tip is now fully operational after Tuesday’s fire. Fire services have been stood down. Council's waste manager Adam Patyus has thanked, on behalf of Council, the NSW Rural Fire Services, NSW Fire and Rescue, the HAZMAT team, Council support staff and the EPA for their immediate attention and swift response to the situation. “A great effort by all concerned,” he said. No one was injured in the blaze, which started on the tip face and spread to a metal pile, where it was quickly contained by emergency crews.
“Everyone involved has done a fantastic job containing and extinguishing the fire.
“We are now arranging for an excavator to open up the waste material so that water can penetrate the deep layers to make sure the fire is fully extinguished.
“The cause of the fire is not confirmed at this stage, but RFS have told us they expect it was ash waste from a home wood heater.
“This has happened before and we’re encouraging residents to please make sure any wood fire ash is completely cold before adding it to the tip site.
“The smoke around the area was not toxic, confirmed by Hazmat.”
