A MOTION calling for a public inquiry into the handling of the Averies Recycling fire will be discussed by Swindon Council tonight.

After burning for 57 days, the blaze at the company’s Marsh-gate base was finally put out on Monday.

Councillors Mark Dempsey and Joe Tray will be lobbying at the full council meeting, taking place at the Civic Offices at 7pm, for an investigation to begin.

Firefighters worked with the Environment Agency, Swindon Council, NHS England and Averies to deal with thefire.

The operation is believed to have cost around £500,000.

Coun Mark Dempsey (Lab, Walcot and Park North), the North Swindon Parliamentary Candidate, said: “It is absolutely vital that we learn lessons from the Averies fire.

“We need to know why the site was allowed to get in the state that it did, why the authorities didn’t act quicker and what can be done to prevent incidents like these happening in the future.

“The fire created huge issues for the local community and I’m sure they would want to see a public inquiry take place.”

The blaze saw thick smoke affect residents and businesses across Swindon.

Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service will soon be concluding its investigation into how the fire started.

Ian Jeary, the fire service’s area manager, said: “The fire investigation is still ongoing and we will be closing it shortly.

“There is not a great deal more I can say about it at this stage. I understand that fire will be discussed at the council meeting and it is only right that the public will have questions which they want answering.

“We received really positive support from the public and we would like to thank them for that.

It was a big operation that required lots of pieces of the jigsaw falling into place.”

Paul Rooney Solicitors is running an information session today for residents affected by the fire.

It will be held at The Great Western Hotel, in Station Road, from noon until 3pm and 4pm until 8pm. It is the second event that the company has held since the fire.

David Gibson, Paul Rooney’s head of marketing, said: “The public are welcome to come along and discuss with us whether they have a case for a claim.

“We have dealt with claims for fires of this nature before and can help those who have been inconvenienced or suffered injury as a result of the fire.”