Major investigation begins into huge battery plant blaze in Kilwinning

A major investigation is being undertaken into the circumstances of a fire in Kilwinning.

The blaze spiralled into the sky and explosions started erupting from the Fenix Battery Recycling plant.

The fire was eventually brought under control but not before it caused considerable concern and chaos across the neighbourhood.

North Coast councillor and North Ayrshire and Arran candidate, Todd Ferguson, sought an update on the fire from Cabinet Member for Communities and Islands, Alan Hill.

He said at full council: “Following the serious fire incident at the Fenix Battery Recycling Plant last month, and the prompt emergency services response, the incident is now in what is termed the recovery phase.

“A multi-agency Recovery Group, chaired by the Executive Director (Housing and Communities), has met on a regular basis to assess the consequences of the incident, consider appropriate recovery planning and monitor progress by those responsible for the site.

“This work sits alongside Scottish Fire & Rescue’s ongoing investigation of the incident. A notice under Section 29 of the Building (Scotland) Act has been served on the owners of the property instructing them to make the building safe and the site is now fully in their control to proceed as required, whilst ensuring all statutory requirements are being met.

“The owner has appointed specialist contractors who are at present preparing proposals for the waste removal and demolition phase. Currently, the site has 24-hour security and dust mitigation equipment has been deployed for use as and when required.

“The work on site is likely to be ongoing for some time, and the current multi-agency approach to engaging with the site owner and their representatives will continue as required, with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency playing a key regulatory role.”

Cllr Ferguson then said he had raised concern about fire safety given the increasing number of applications for battery energy storage systems.

He said it was important sites like these were scrutinised carefully.

Fenix, he said, had been refused a licence in 2022 in England because they did not operate the facility in accordance with an environmental permit and they were not competent to run it. There were also numerous omissions to their fire safety plan.

Clr Hill said the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) served two enforcement notices on May 13, instructing them to move all batteries both damaged and fire damaged from the site.