Date of Request
30/10/24
Request
Last summer, Worcester Fire Service attended Plough Road in Tibberton. Multiple residents reported a very strong smell of oil/fuel in the area and were worried of the fire risk or that someone’s oil tank had ruptured.
When your officers attended, after inspection, it became apparent that the land owner at Court End Farm has been disposing of fuel on his land in an attempt to ‘control weeds’.
I would like to know if it is possible for you to supply me (under Freedom of Information) the date of this incident and any information as to the outcome.
Kindest regards
Response
We thank you for your request for information, which has been received by Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (the Service) and considered under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 2000
The Service can confirm that the information that you have requested is held and the information is detailed in the below statement:
Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service were mobilised to Plough Road on 16 and 17 August 2023 for an unidentified smell in the area. On 16 August 2023, the attending crew made contact with a nearby farmer who informed the crew that they had been spraying weeds to kill them. A strong smell of diesel was noted at the rear of the property. Advice was given and the incident was closed.
On 17 August 2023, the attending crew made contact with the resident of the farm and it was identified that the smell in the area was weed killer. Additionally it was noted that there had been a small bonfire 3 days prior measuring 40cm in diameter. The original caller was contacted and notified that the smell was being caused by weed killer.
If you have any questions regarding your request, please contact Information Governance and Committee Services on tel: 0345 122 4454 or by e-mail informationrequests@hwfire.org.uk. In any such communication please include the reference number assigned (see Subject).
Should you have any queries regarding the management of your request and wish to make either a complaint or request a review of the information disclosed to you, please do so by using Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service’s complaints system: Comments and Complaints. This must be done within 40 working days of our response to your request. After this date and in line with ICO guidance the Service is not obliged to provide an internal review of your request.
If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the internal review, you may appeal the decision by contacting the Information Commissioner, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, SK9 5AF, Tel: 0303 123 1113 (alternatively 01625 545745) or E-mail: casework@ico.org.uk.
Further information on Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service may be viewed at the Service’s website: www.hwfire.org.uk
Thank you for your request for information.
Kind regards,
Information Governance Team