LOCALS are fuming after a pile of poo left in a nearby field caught fire and fumigated their estate with a rancid smell.
Residents of the Bridgefield housing estate near Ashford, Kent, have been plagued by the foul smell of burning manure since last Friday (August 22).
Cover ImagesIt is unclear what initially caused the manure pile to catch fire[/caption]
Cover ImagesPaula and Peter Warrington have lived on the Bridgefield estate in Ashford for two years[/caption]
Cover Imagescouncillor, Ray McGeever, believes the stench has made life difficult for residents of the estate[/caption]
Families in Brockmans Lane have been left unable to use their gardens as plumes of rancid manure smoke flood the area and the fire service has urged homeowners to close their windows to protect them from the choking smoke.
Locals say it’s made little difference and the horrid smell is ruining their lives – having had to stay indoors during recent hot weather.
Daily updates on the situation are issued by the fire service who claim they are allowing the manure to burn in a “controlled manner.”
Firefighters are hoping to allow the fire to burn itself out and prevent the heap of poo from reigniting.
Peter Warrington, who lives on the estate with his wife Paula, told KentOnline: “For the past few days, black plumes of smoke have been coming up from the field. It’s been absolute hell.”
Paula, who works for the NHS, added: “The smell has been coming in through our vents and into our bathroom.
“We’ve been advised to keep the windows closed, so we are being choked out by it.
“It’s even giving us a sore throat.”
The pair have lived in the town for two years and say they have never experienced anything like it before.
Mr Warrington claims that the smell has become so overwhelming that the couple have had to take days off work and are unable to use their garden.
The cause of the fire remains unknown but the blaze has ruined the bank holiday weekend for many locals.
Firefighters regularly visit the site with the landowner to check on the manure’s condition while the slow burn continues.
Smoke from the manure pile is expected to hang over the housing estate for the next few days while the dung heap burns itself out.
Becky Williams, who moved to the estate four months ago, said: “The smell is terrible – it makes me want to stay inside the house.
“I have still been using the garden when I have to, but I’m trying my best to avoid it.
“I really want it sorted out as soon as possible.”
She added: “It’s meant to be a nice area, and I moved here because of that. But this has really impacted daily life.
“You can’t just stay indoors forever – people have kids, pets, work. It needs sorting quickly.”
Local councillor Ray McGeever said the smell has made life particularly difficult for people in the area.
The local authority is liaising the fire service on the issue.
A Kent Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “Steady progress continues to be made at the scene of an earlier fire involving a large manure pile in Kingsnorth, Ashford.
“Firefighters are continuing to monitor the site in Brockmans Lane, where they are carrying out a controlled burn – a common firefighting tactic for these types of agricultural incidents.
“A controlled burn helps to prevent a fire from reigniting and minimises damage to the environment and public, but it can take some time to be fully extinguished, particularly when the fire is deep-seated.
“While smoke is still coming from the incident, crews are advising people living or working in the affected area to keep their windows and doors closed.
“We would like to thank residents for their patience and understanding while this incident is ongoing.
“Please share this information with any loved ones or neighbours, who might not have access to the internet or social media. Thank you. “
Cover ImagesRancid fumes from the burning pile of poo have drifted onto a nearby housing estate[/caption]
Cover ImagesFumes from the controlled manure fire are expected to hang over the town for days to come[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
