Arsonists strike '“ but it's still business as usual for firm

The four employees at Envirowaste Southern Ltd were backed by its parent firm, the TJ Group, in making their site ready for use again just two days after a major blaze.

Manager Graham Wells said: "Our vans were out on the road on Tuesday and we were back open for deliveries yesterday.

"The fire was definitely arson and it was a huge fire but it was contained in the compound."

Envirowaste has been based in Burndell Road for 18 months. It collects and receives cardboard and paper from businesses around West Sussex and Hampshire for recycling.

More goods are likely to be recycled there once the impact of the recent takeover by the TJ Group has settled down.

It was just before 11.50pm on Sunday when the items in the compound awaiting recycling were deliberately set alight.

The fire destroyed three articulated trailers, about 2,000 tyres and ten bales of recycled cardboard and paper. Nearly 50 calls were received by the emergency services from nearby residents as explosions sounded throughout the quiet night.

These are thought to have been caused by the suspension on the trailers collapsing or the tyres catching fire. Flames could be seen leaping into the sky.

The closest residents live about 100 to 200 yards away.

They were warned to keep their windows closed because of the toxic smoke from the burning objects. But the wind direction meant it drifted seawards rather than north towards the village centre.

About 30 firefighters from Bognor Regis, Littlehampton and Arundel attended. Most of the fire was put out within a couple of hours but pockets of flames still remained at 4am.

Relief crews were called in from Worthing and Findon to maintain the firefighting presence. It was not until 6.50am '“ seven hours after the alarm was raised '“ the fire was officially declared to be extinguished.

The fire consumed all the materials within the 20m by 40m compound.

Fire investigation officers attended the site on Monday along with police scenes of crime officers. They determined arson was the cause.

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