Residents raise health concerns as underground fire smoulders for months at Shawhead in Coatbridge

Residents of a North Lanarkshire town have raised concerns over an underground fire which has been smouldering for months.

The fire, which is believed to have started in July in Shawhead, Coatbridge, has worsened recently, leaving residents’ backyards covered in soot and raising fears of respiratory illnesses.

North Lanarkshire Council has assured locals that air-quality monitoring continues to show levels are within safe limits, blaming larger amount of smoke and steam on wet conditions.

The local authority has said that hot material exposed during the excavation can carry soot towards nearby homes.

However homeowners are not convinced.

‘Everything is covered in soot’

Local resident Jamie Digan told STV News: “I’ve got two sons who both suffer from asthma, my eldest son is on extra medication because we can’t open the windows. We’ve had to buy dehumidifiers; his breathing has suffered a lot.

“We’re avoiding the soot by keeping the windows closed.

“The council has told us absolutely nothing. I just know that it’s been going on since July.

“I’ve got small kids who like to go out and play but they can’t because everything is thick with soot and dust.”

Ongoing fire, Burleigh Street, Coatbridge STV News

Another woman added: “My daughter’s four and she suffers really bad eczema, so I worry that the soot is going to affect her skin.”

Another told STV News: “We have people here with respiratory illnesses, COPD and pulmonary fibrosis who are trapped within their house breathing this in, and that potentially could kill these guys in the long term.”

The site is understood to be a colliery spoil containing waste materials such as coal and iron ore, buried beneath the ground during steelworks operations in the 1800s.

Specialist crews are now excavating the burning material in an effort to put the fire out. Recent wet, stormy weather has caused more smoke and soot as the hot material is being exposed during excavation and with the winds blowing north, residents further down the line are most affected.

Earlier this month, North Lanarkshire Council said: “Excavation works…has been focused on the historic railway structure, which remains a challenging area due to very high temperatures and the presence of old ventilation shafts and pipes.

“Despite this, progress continues, and we remain confident in the approach being taken. Reaching clay more consistently behind garden lines is another positive step, and the firebreak ditch created over the past week will help prevent any potential further spread.

“Geotechnical analysis continues to show no chemical compounds within the excavated material, with findings consistent with combustible organic material such as coal spoil and shale. This aligns with expectations and supports our ongoing methodology.”

Locals have been assured that preparations are being made to ensure the site remains secure and is monitored.

Area Commander Stephen Nesbit said: “The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service received a call at approximately 10am on Monday, July 21, regarding a deep-seated fire in the open, located to the rear of properties on Burleigh Street, Coatbridge.

“Following attendance at this incident, SFRS personnel worked with partners from North Lanarkshire Council (NLC) to clear an area of vegetation while working to extinguish the fire.

“Coordination for this response has been handed over to NLC, who are the lead agency. SFRS remains involved in supporting our partners to safely resolve the incident, and appropriate control measures are in place.

“There is no identified public health risk at this time, and the safety of residents remains our top priority.

“Should any changes occur in public health guidance or risk levels, residents will be informed promptly through the appropriate channels.”