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Fire at at Cleanaway Waste transfer station remains controlled but fumes remain

Brianna DuganThe West Australian
Emergency services at the site of a structure fire at the Cleanaway waste management facility in Welshpool yesterday.
Camera IconEmergency services at the site of a structure fire at the Cleanaway waste management facility in Welshpool yesterday. Credit: 7NEWS/7NEWS

The blaze at Cleanaway Waste transfer station in Welshpool remains controlled with firefighters still on the scene.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services is helping the building owner in breaking down the waste piles to ensure reignition does not occur.

The building -- which contained household waste and recycling — has been assessed by structural engineers to ensure the safety of fire crew and workers inside.

A fire investigation officer said the fire was accidental, and happened through self-heating of the materials inside.

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No staff were present at the start of the blaze and there are no known injuries.

Over 60 firefighters were on the scene last night battling the blaze which continued until this morning

A DFES COVID safety adviser was also on the site to ensure restrictions were complied with.

DWERS Pollution response was present monitoring the hazardous fumes coming from the fire, which was blowing into neighbouring suburbs.

A hazmat warning remains in place for those in the City of Canning, City of Belmont and the Shire of Kalamunda.

DFES is warning those within the region to remain inside, out of the smoke and fumes, with doors and windows closed.

The 2000 square-metre building caught fire just after 6.30 last night, with all emergency services called to the scene, including Western Power.

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