PEOPLE who were affected by the Marshgate fire which burnt for eight weeks last summer will get the opportunity to describe its impact.

Last month it was announced the council was launching an inquiry into the fire at the site of Averies Recycling, which has since gone into liquidation.

A feedback event will now be held later this month for residents and businesses in the surrounding area to describe their experiences.

The fire, which broke out in July, involved staff from a variety of agencies and is estimated to have cost about £500,000 to put out.

At one point, discussions were taking place about moving some of the burnt-out waste to the former park and ride site at Groundwell but, following a public outcry, it was taken by a private contractor.

The inquiry, which is being carried out by councillors on the scrutiny committee, will focus on the events leading up to the fire and its impact so lessons can be learnt on how to prevent a similar situation occurring again.

Individual answers will not be dealt with at the event, due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, but they will be taken into account.

Coun Maureen Penny (Con, Blunsdon and Highworth), who is chairing the task group carrying out the inquiry, said: “This is an opportunity for anyone who was directly affected by the fire, as either a resident or business, to share their experiences and views.

“We want to examine and review the situation and its impact as thoroughly as possible so we can establish what worked well and what could have been done differently, so we can learn for the future.

“Due to the ongoing nature of the review, we won’t be in a position to answer individual questions at this meeting.

"However, all the feedback will be used to help our investigation and inform any subsequent recommendations.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone in advance for sparing their time to attend.”

Averies Recycling was owned by Lee Averies, who also owned Swindon Skips based at Brindley Close which has also gone into liquidation.

The Environment Agency, which is also likely to be contributing to the task group’s inquiry, has said it is investigating Lee Averies for potentially breaching terms of his waste carrying licence. A legal prosecution is a possible outcome.

The feedback gathering event is at the Council Chamber, Civic Offices, Euclid Street, on May 26, at 6pm.