A MAJOR operation is to be launched in a bid to stop tipping and arson at a town centre industrial estate.

The fire brigade, council and Environment Agency are joining forces to uncover the source of large heaps of rubbish which are regularly piled in and around a disused building at Slutchers Lane, Bank Quay, and then set alight.

The fires have been a problem at the site for several years. Firefighters have put their lives at risk on numerous occasions as the piles of blazing rubbish often include drums of oil and even gas canisters.

Several years ago, the emergency services were called to the site as several propane cylinders exploded in a fire, shooting like missiles towards the RSPCA kennels. There are fears that this may happen again if the indiscriminate tipping continues.

Station Officer John Melia from Warrington Fire Station said: "There is a big cocktail of waste, we don't know what's in there.

"A lot of tyres have been dumped recently and we don't know whether there are gas canisters underneath. If this was the case and they were set on fire, the tyres would hold in the heat. This could cause a serious explosion."

Representatives from the Environment Agency and environmental health department are monitoring the situation and have contacted the various businesses at the site to warn them of the dangers. Evidence is now being collected and action will be taken.

Anyone with any information should contact the police on 652222 or environmental health on 444400.

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