Is Launders Lane a health crisis? Fires burn for days as residents demand action once and for all.

Firefighters, smoke billowing, and a choking rancid smell is not uncommon for those living near Launders Lane in Rainham.

As the summer heat intensifies, so do the fires burning on Arnolds field. For five days now, a fire has been burning non stop, meaning that despite having the hottest days of the summer so far, residents living near the infamous site, cannot open their windows.

Our fantastic firefighters have been in the words of local Councillor Sue Ospreay- been babysitting the area, in fear of the fire spreading. They have been sat outside the land on the A1306 for five days in case the fire spreads. Not only are these fires using up resources from the London Fire Brigade, but it also means that our firefighters are repeatedly inhaling the toxic fumes emitted from the fires.

Residents living nearby cannot breathe. They cannot open their windows and enjoy a summer breeze like most do as the smell is at choking point. Most living near the fires suffer with asthma, running watery itchy eyes, endless coughing, sore throats and chest infections. One residents who had developed lung cancer has now moved in fear for her health. This is how bad the fires are.

Yet despite this health crisis, residents are still begging for help and feel that once again they are being ignored and left to suffer as they do every summer.

The council have installed air monitors and are working to resolve this nightmare, but how long does it take to solve this problem and how long will residents have to wait?

Meetings have taken place, but it all takes time and planning and that is where locals are fed up. They want action and they want it now. They need to see quick planning and issues being dealt with, not more meetings being planned week after week as they sit and suffer.

Yesterday, the Havering Daily joined Councillor Sue Ospreay and Sean a local Rainham residents at the site as they both begged for those in authority to step in and help. They feel forgotten and they want to see somebody step in and speed matters up to resolve this nightmare for them.

As the temperatures are due to hit 30c today, Rainham residents will be once again forced to sit with their windows and doors closed as that horrendous choking smell is emitted from the fire. The fumes are also now being smelt right across Havering in places like Hornchurch in Upminster.

It is time we help Rainham residents and not leave them as the forgotten people. They need our help and support.

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