Schools in Dunbar and the surrounding areas are being advised to keep children inside at break and lunch time as smoke from an ongoing fire at Dunbar Landfill Site blows towards the town. 

SEPA and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service continue to attend the site, which caught fire on Monday afternoon, and will monitor the situation.

READ MORE: Dunbar landfill fire: Residents concerned as smoke hits town

They have advised that the fire is "under control and being managed by the site operator" however a plume of smoke will continue to be evident.

The weather forecast over the rest of the day suggests that the smoke may begin to drift from east to west and general health advice is to keep windows and doors closed and avoid being outside for long periods of time if the smoke is particularly bad. 

Schools including Dunbar Primary School, Dunbar Grammar School and Innerwick Primary School are being advised by East Lothian Council to keep pupils inside the building at all times. 

Those with a respiratory complaint, or who experience a change in symptoms and live in the area, should contact NHS Inform. 

Dr Alex Cockburn, consultant in public health medicine at NHS Lothian, said: “We are working with partner agencies to closely monitor the situation in Dunbar and surrounding areas.

“SEPA and East Lothian Council have confirmed that the site is authorised to dispose of non-hazardous waste. 

“Nonetheless, we would urge people living in the area to keep doors and windows closed and not to spend prolonged periods of time outdoors, especially if they can see smoke.

"The same would apply to schools and we would ask headteachers to keep children in the buildings at break and lunchtimes if possible.

“If anyone with a respiratory complaint has concerns about a change in symptoms and they live locally, they should look on NHS Inform https://www.nhsinform.scot/  for advice or contact NHS24 on 111.”

 

READ MORE: Dunbar: Residents urged to shut windows as landfill fire still burning

It is expected that the fire could burn for many days to come.

If travelling through smoke, motorists should keep windows closed, turn off air conditioning and keep their air vents closed.

Station Commander, Rick Stark, who is managing the incident, said: "The rubbish fire affecting a significant area of landfill is continuing to smolder underground.

“A fire break has been created to control the spread however the smoldering could continue for a number of days yet.

“We are working with partner agencies to minimise the disruption to the local community and to keep people updated."

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “A multi-agency incident response group meeting was held yesterday afternoon to update information regarding an incident of a fire at the Valencia Waste Management Ltd site outside Dunbar.

“General health and safety advice for those living near the site is to keep windows and doors closed and avoid being outside if the smoke is particularly bad."