Rotherham contractor responds to criticism over “unauthorised” bonfire.
Newspaper reports alleging that a bonfire on a demolition site in Hemel Hempstead caused panic and anger among locals have been refuted by the company involved.
DSR Demolition was roundly criticised by the Hemel Hempstead Gazette which suggested that the fire had been unauthorised and that fumes had made their way into the bedrooms of children living close by. The newspaper article also suggested that the fumes might be toxic.
However, DSR has hit back, saying that the fire – which took place on bonfire night – was authorised in advance by the local council and that it was used purely to dispose of clean wood under a D7 exemption on Bonfire Night.
The company also refutes claims that the flames were 15 feet high and that it continued to burn long after the fire service attended the site, since the brigade returned to the site twice to check.
The timing and location of this fire is not ideal, however. DSR Demolition has just been fined over an accident in which a worker fell from scaffolding; and the bonfire was not a million miles from the head office of the National Federation of Demolition Contractors, of which DSR is a member. DSR has explained its side of the story to NFDC CEO Howard Button.
Emma Thompson of DSR had the following to say: “When it rains, it pours. The bonfire matter was misreported, to our detriment. Meanwhile the prosecution relates to an incident four years ago which has given us time to make significant improvements at the company.”
