Residents urged not to touch art factory fire debris

Residents who live near an art manufacturing facility that caught fire earlier this week have been warned not to clean up any debris from the blaze.

Homes were evacuated on Monday following the large industrial fire at Daler-Rowney in Peacock Lane, Bracknell, Berkshire.

In guidance issued on Thursday, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said any debris from the fire might pose a risk, albeit low, to public health and urged for it to remain untouched.

As a precaution, Bracknell Forest Council said it would be visiting all properties within a 200m (650ft) radius of the smoke plume on Friday "to assess what clean-up" might be needed by professionals.

It is believed the Daler-Rowney building might have had a cement roof containing asbestos.

Resident Claire Tootill said the warning had been unsettling for people who had been moved out of their homes during the fire and then allowed back.

"I think everyone's quite upset and concerned," she said.

"We were told we were safe to come home, we came home, we were told it was OK to start doing things and clear up.

"A lot of us have children. We thought we were safe, we were told we were safe and now we don't know. To get told two days later that we shouldn't touch anything – we've all been at home. It's a beautiful day, the kids have all been in the gardens. We don't know whether we've put our children at risk."

These materials could have potentially been released in smoke from the fire, as well as in the debris falling on nearby streets.

Risks to health from the fire and ensuing debris were low, the UKHSA said, adding that there was unlikely to be any significant exposure to asbestos.

The updated guidance comes after Bracknell Forest Council questioned advice provided earlier in the week after residents said they had found debris in their gardens.

There was no direct evidence of long-term health risks from fires involving asbestos-containing materials, the council said.

The authority said it was "sensible" that any debris containing asbestos be removed to minimise any potential exposure.

It said that residents who found any debris from the blaze should contact the authority so it could be removed by experts.

Children and pets should also be kept away from it until a full and thorough clean-up had been carried out, the council added.

No one was injured in the fire on Monday, and Daler-Rowney said the site was not operating at the time.

At the height of the fire, 15 engines attended, including fire crews from Berkshire and neighbouring counties. Some firefighters remained on the scene overnight.

According to the Daler-Rowney website, the site is home to the firm's main office, warehouse and colour manufacturing and paper factory.

Bracknell's MP Peter Swallow said the "strong community" had rallied around people affected by Monday's fire and urged constituents to follow advice.

"The initial reaction is always concern but the emergency services stepped in quickly and they got the fire under control in difficult conditions," he said.

"I want to pay a huge tribute to them and to the whole community who stepped up and took charge and made sure that people who had to be evacuated from their homes were being looked after."

Swallow added: "I have contacted UKHSA to try to understand why it took days to issue [the advice] but it is a low risk that they've identified so I think just a belt and braces [warning]. I understand why people would be concerned but the best thing to do is to follow the advice."