Asbestos risk remains low after barn fire

Firefighters have said the risk "remained low" to people living near a burning barn suspected of containing asbestos.

Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service was called to the blaze at Poplar's Farm Road in Kettering at 22:00 GMT on Sunday.

Fire service group manager Nick Gayton explained that while it was still believed the roof of the building contained asbestos, firefighters managed to mitigate the risk by reducing the spread on the roof.

He added: "There is a risk around asbestos, it's our job as the fire service to work really closely with the environment agency and other partner agencies to mitigate those risks and thankfully in this instance that risk has remained low."

Residents are still advised "to go around your daily business as you normally would" but to keep windows and doors closed.

Crews will continue to monitor the timber barn over the next 24 hours but have warned that it could continue to burn for up to 48 hours.

A single pumping appliance and one water carrier remained at the scene until Monday evening.

Firefighters worked with the landowner to extract burning timber pieces from the building to extinguish them with more ease.

The investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.

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