Environmental risks assessed after art factory fire

An MP has said he has concerns about the response to a fire at an art supplies manufacturing facility.

A fire at the Daler-Rowney site in Bracknell, Berkshire, on 25 May led to the evacuation of nearby streets due to concerns about materials released in the smoke.

Maidenhead's Liberal Democrat MP Joshua Reynolds described the authorities response to the incident as "disjointed" and said work is being done to assess damage to the environment.

Bracknell Forest Council said "contaminated firewater entered the surface water system and there is some evidence of environmental impact" while Thames Water said "follow-up inspections found no evidence of ongoing pollution".

At a public meeting on Wednesday residents voiced their frustration about poor communication to members of the Council, fire service and Environment Agency (EA).

In the days after the fire, residents were warned not to clean up any debris from the blaze after the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said debris might pose a risk, albeit low, to public health and urged for it to remain untouched.

Reynolds said the EA is now working in the area: "They've told us that they want to be able to see what damage has been caused and they're working on that process.

"They're also speaking with the paint company themselves to see if all processes have been followed correctly, in their standards, to make sure the water course hasn't been damaged.

He added that "it does seem like we've had a reasonably disjointed approach from different agencies and different organisations" and he questioned the communication.

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, which led the initial emergency response, said it was undertaking a "structured review" into its own handling of the incident, "as well as how we worked together with partners".

Daler-Rowney has told the BBC that an EA audit was conducted at the site "a few months ago" and said it was fully compliant with requirements.

The building is located on the edge of the Bracknell parliamentary constituency meaning that the houses that were evacuated during the fire were in the Reynold's Maidenhead constituency.

An EA spokesperson said it is working with the fire service "to assess its impact on the environment".

A Thames Water spokesperson said: "Investigations confirmed that discharge into the network was quickly contained.

"Follow-up inspections found no evidence of ongoing pollution, and water quality remains within normal limits."