South Wales Argus reports that South Wales Fire and Rescue Service spent almost six hours tackling a large skip fire at the Household Recycling Centre in New Inn, Pontypool, on Sunday, July 19. The site later reopened as normal after crews brought the incident under control.
The call came at approximately 4.25pm, when fire was reported involving refuse and recycling. Crews and appliances from New Inn, Malpas and Maindee attended, and firefighters received a stop message at approximately 10.14pm.
New Inn fire at 4.25pm
The fire involved around 20 tonnes of refuse and recycling, making this more than a brief flare-up at the site. Large plumes of smoke rose above the Household Recycling Centre, and residents shared images of the blaze on social media.
Smoke was also visible from neighbouring communities, including Griffithstown and Pontypool. No injuries have been reported in connection with the incident.
Smoke over Griffithstown and Pontypool
The visible smoke gave nearby residents a clearer sign of the scale of the fire than the initial call alone. Crews from New Inn, Malpas and Maindee remained with the incident until the stop message arrived just after 10pm.
For residents who use the site, the practical change is simple: the Household Recycling Centre has reopened as normal. The blaze has passed, but the cause has not been confirmed, leaving the main unanswered question about why so much refuse and recycling ignited in the first place.
Household Recycling Centre reopens
That reopening matters because it restores access to the site after an evening response that stretched from mid-afternoon into late night. The incident also showed how quickly a fire at a recycling centre can send smoke across nearby communities before the site returns to normal use.
