Fire extinguishes blaze at Kumeko Recycling facility in Mäntyluoto, Finland

The authorities do not suspect foul play in the recent fire at Kumeko Recycling, which occurred on Monday. The extensive blaze completely destroyed the company’s nearly 2,000 square meter facility that produced plastic-based recycled fuel. Firefighting efforts continued throughout Tuesday.

When Joni Mustonen, the leading environmental engineer in Pori, learned about the burning of the separately recycled plastic storage in Mäntyluoto, his primary concern was the management of firefighting water. Fortunately, he recalled that there is a collection basin for this water at the site. This setup means that the environmental impact of the fire is expected to be minimal, as the water can be contained effectively.

A ditch along Merisatamantien could have allowed firefighting water to flow into Levonlampi, a rich habitat for birds, but luckily, no damage occurred. Mustonen emphasized that environmental permits require proactive measures and proper equipment to prepare for such incidents.

Firefighting water is being transported to treatment facilities using suction trucks. The operations required a significant amount of water, particularly due to the nature of the fire. Burning recycled plastics releases harmful compounds into the air, which can temporarily deteriorate air quality. A warning was issued in the area, advising residents to stay indoors and turn off their ventilation systems until conditions improved.

The structure of the building made firefighting challenging, as it consisted of metal materials with an additional inner layer. Firefighters needed to dismantle this layer with machinery to effectively extinguish the burning plastic. Fire Chief Tuomas Kiskola confirmed the substantial water demands for such an operation were being managed as carefully as possible.