A SECOND fire has broken out within Arpley Landfill site as another continues to burn more than a month after it first appeared.

News of the fire, which is situated in another chamber in the Lapwing phase, has sparked an investigation by 3C Waste and has come under the watchful eye of the town's Agenda 21 Waste group.

The first fire broke out on October 6 and is still burning, according to the Environment Agency.

A spokesperson for 3C Waste said: "3C Waste Ltd continues to address a fire which has been burning under a small part of a restored area of the Arpley Landfill site.

"Action has already been taken to block off a leachate-monitoring chamber where a fire was observed.

"A second, unrelated fire has now occurred at a landfill gas well elsewhere on the restored area. This well has been blocked off using clay. The intention is to continue to stop the ingress of oxygen to the affected area so that the fires will extinguish themselves.

"The company is working closely with the Environment Agency in this matter and is confident that its planned actions will be successful in finally dealing with the fires.

"The cause of the fires is being investigated.

"There are no visible signs of the fires at the surface of the site and the company emphasises that there is no danger to site employees, members of the public nor to the environment."

The revelation comes as members of Warrington Agenda 21 Waste group launch an objection campaign to 3C Waste's massive 110 hectare expansion plans for the site.

Members met on Tuesday night and agreed to start the process with a special meeting at the town hall on Wednesday, November 29, at 6.30pm.

At this week's meeting, planning officer Gary Nancarrow presented outline information on the development, which he said would add an additional nine years to the landfill's current estimated lifespan of eight to 12 years.

A large-scale consultation exercise is under way with around 40 public notices going up around the town and thousands of letters circulated to residents.

He added: "If we contemplate refusal we need to look very carefully at our defences and in the case of of approval we need to be aware of the public response including the new Human Rights Act so we need to be ultra-cautious."

Ken Richardson, from Penketh Action Committee, said: "This should not be entertained in any way, shape or form. What we should remember is what is going to be destroyed the green belt, people's houses and people's lives.

"Moore Nature Reserve was built for the benefit of the public but it will disappear. Instead of a peaceful walking area, it will be like what we've experienced in Warrington over the past few years obnoxious smells and toxic gases.

"This should not be entertained in any way."