A disagreement has emerged between public bodies over what happened to chemicals from the Daler-Rowney site following a major fire in Bracknell two weeks ago, while residents have been warned to avoid potentially contaminated water.
The blaze, which lit up Peacock Lane and Jennett’s Park on Bank Holiday Monday, May 25, prompted an emergency response and ongoing environmental concerns.
At a public meeting on June 3, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue area manager Tim Readings described the response and later told the LDRS that firewater used to tackle the blaze had been contained. He said underground chambers known as interceptors prevented pollutants from entering drains or rivers.
He said: “No foam – just water. We didn’t use fire retarding foam. The site’s got big interceptors – pollution control measures and underground storage.”
Mr Readings explained that the system was designed to retain contaminated water on site using pollution control measures to keep so called ‘fire water’ away from the water table and the River Cut.
However, Bracknell Forest Council has issued a conflicting account. In a statement, it said: “Environmental monitoring has confirmed that contaminated firewater entered the surface water system and there is some evidence of environmental impact.
“This is being closely monitored by the Environment Agency (EA). The specific make-up of the firewater is unknown – the results of water samples are expected over the next week.
“In the meantime, it is recommended that the public and their pets avoid contact with contaminated water.”
In 2017, the River Cut in Bracknell was re-stocked with 1,700 chub, 1,000 dace, 1,000 roach and 300 trench after fish were lost due to pollution incidents.
The nearby Wykery Copse, a wetland area next to the Daler-Rowney site, may also be vulnerable. The area is characterised by a shallow “perched” water table sitting on impermeable London Clay, which prevents water from draining deeply and keeps groundwater close to the surface.
This makes the site ecologically significant but also more susceptible to surface contamination.
On Tuesday, May 26, news reporter Suzanne Antelme visited the area and followed a brook which runs from Peacock Lane through Wykery Copse and passes under Butler Drive, emerging next to the Browning Copse playground.
Ms Antelme photographed a clear discolouration in the brook which flows into the River Cut, close to the playground.
Residents told the Bracknell News that ‘puddles’ of ‘blue’ liquid in their gardens, which are separated from the paint manufacturer only by a narrow strip of trees and a bridle path.
The affected areas of the residential gardens were cordoned off by emergency services.
Interceptors at the factory are designed to trap pollutants such as oil, fuel and silt using gravity, allowing cleaner water to pass into the drainage system. However, their effectiveness in this incident remains under scrutiny.
A spokesperson for Daler-Rowney confirmed the company had identified a leak following the fire. They said: “Following the fire, we were aware of a leak from our site.
“We immediately notified the Environment Agency and have been working under their guidance and supervision ever since.
“Immediate actions were taken to prevent any further release from the site, with an emergency response team deployed on-site. Samples have been taken and are being analysed.
“As a precautionary measure, we took swift action to start removing the material ahead of receiving those results.
“Remediation work is actively under way and making good progress.”
