A WAREHOUSE in Yate is still smoking five weeks after it was first ravaged by fire.

Residents and workers from the Beeches Industrial Estate have reported seeing smoke coming from the building as recently as Tuesday this week.

Firefighters have still not been able to set foot inside the warehouse, owned by AJM Pet Products, as it is deemed to be structurally unsafe.

But an Avon Fire and Rescue spokesman confirmed that there was no risk of the fire reigniting.

She said: “We have been back a number of times to the warehouse since the incident, on October 24, to dampen down hot spots in the building.

“So far we haven’t been able to get inside the warehouse, as it is unstable and not safe for anyone to enter.

“Everything we have done has been from the outside, which makes it difficult to make sure everything’s out.

“But inspectors have concluded that there is no risk of reignition and the building has now been handed back over to the contractors responsible for clearing the site.

“There is currently a 24 hour security service on the site, who continue to reinspect the building.”

David Smith, who lives nearby, said: “I live on Celestine Road and it’s been smokey here the whole time.

“This air pollution can’t be good for people.

“There’s a school close by, in Cranleigh Court Road, and otters live round here too, in the River Frome, it can’t be good for them either.”

A worker from the estate, who doesn’t wish to be named, added: “The smoke is filling the air, making unpleasant conditions for everyone working in the area.

A South Gloucestershire Council spokeswoman said: "While the odour and smoke may be unpleasant, the direct risk to public health remains very low.

"However, any smoke can be an irritant and as such, if people need to be outdoors in the area close to the site of the fire, they are advised to avoid outside areas affected by any smoke, or to limit the time that they spend outdoors.

"The areas are affected by the smoke at any given time will depend on the local weather conditions at the site. 

"Some of the substances present in smoke can irritate the lining of the air passages, the skin and the eyes.

"Respiratory symptoms associated with significant exposure may include coughing and wheezing, breathlessness, sputum (phlegm) production and chest pain.

"If symptoms occur, people should seek medical advice or call NHS 111. 

"Some components of smoke can worsen existing health problems and people with asthma who are in close proximity to the site are advised to carry their inhalers as a precaution."

A spokesman for Cushman & Wakefield, which manages the estate, said: “We apologise for any inconvenience for residents and businesses following the fire at Unit 49.

"Unfortunately, the fire left the building structurally unsafe which means the Fire Service has been unable to enter it to tackle the residual heat which is causing it to smoulder and periodically reignite.

“We have personnel on site monitoring it 24/7 who, as part of an agreed procedure, notify the Fire Service at the earliest opportunity so they can re-attend and dampen down in order to minimise local disruption.

"Unfortunately, we cannot do more at this stage due to the building being declared unsafe to enter.

“Meanwhile, specialists are completing the safe removal of debris. Once this and related investigations are complete, the planned demolition and safe access can take place.”

A South Gloucestershire Council spokeswoman added: "Environmental health officers are continuing to work with the owners of the Beeches industrial estate, where there was a warehouse fire in October, to ensure that the clean-up operation is carried out correctly.

"The site owner Cushman & Wakefield has employed a specialist contractor to carry out this work, which involves cleaning roof surfaces and the safe removal of debris, which may include some asbestos containing material. 

"Some local businesses may have been affected as a result of the road closures around the site.

She added: "A deep-seated underground fire is still smouldering at the affected warehouse unit and odour from the unit can be detected some distance from the site.

"This is because the structure is unsafe and it is difficult for the fire service to gain access and tackle the residual heat which causes it to smoulder and periodically reignite. On site security remains in place to monitor the situation and to liaise directly with Avon Fire and Rescue Service as needed."