Wednesday 18 December 2019
Health and Safety Inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive attended the site of a building fire near Beaucette Marina in the Vale earlier today.
Our colleagues from Guernsey Fire and Rescue alerted us to the presence of asbestos debris in the area surrounding the fire.
The existing asbestos survey of the damaged building indicates the presence of corrugated asbestos cement roofing sheets. Those were extensively damaged during the fire and some debris is visible in the surrounding area, including the Vale Common near Fort Doyle.
This type of asbestos-containing-materials is less likely to release asbestos fibres. As asbestos poses a risk when fibres are inhaled, the larger pieces of asbestos cements are unlikely to release inhalable fibres unless they are disturbed.
The inclement weather has dampened the asbestos containing materials, and the risk of exposure to members of the public is currently extremely low.
A specialist contractor is dealing with the asbestos contamination on site on behalf of the site owner. As a consequence, we ask members of the public to avoid walking around the area while the clean-up operation takes place.
If you live in properties in the immediate vicinity of the fire (La Lande and La Route de la Lande in the Vale) and you identify debris in your garden, please contact Ricky Stevens at Beaucette Marina on 01481 245000, where your details can be collated for the asbestos removal contractor to safely remove the debris. Do not attempt to do this yourself as you may become unnecessarily contaminated and could be exposed to asbestos fibres.
