Second Major Fire in a Year Erupts at Fenix Battery Recycling Plant in Scotland

April 16, 2025

A major fire broke out on 9 April 2025 at a battery recycling facility in Kilwinning, North Ayrshire, the second such incident at the site in just over a year. The fire, accompanied by a series of explosions, involved the Fenix Battery Recycling plant, which had previously been severely damaged by a similar blaze in April 2024.

Emergency Response and Public Safety

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) received the alert at 12:42 p.m. local time. In response, ten fire engines and specialist resources, including hazardous materials (HAZMAT) units, were deployed to tackle the blaze. Due to potentially harmful fumes, the public was urged to stay indoors with windows and doors closed, and some properties in the area were evacuated.

The SFRS confirmed on 10 April that the fire had been extinguished. However, one appliance remained on-site to monitor for hot spots and continue damping down operations. Dramatic footage posted on social media by local residents captured flames and smoke rising from the facility, drawing strong parallels with the 2024 incident.

Environmental Agency Involvement

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) issued a statement confirming their involvement in a multi-agency response. SEPA officers collected water samples from nearby streams and said they would continue monitoring the environmental impact. The agency acknowledged public concern and urged residents to follow official advice.

The 2024 Fire: A Recurring Incident

The most recent blaze occurred almost exactly a year after the first major fire at the same facility. On 8 April 2024, a fire and series of explosions broke out at the plant, leading to several days of firefighting. Approximately 40 firefighters and six engines were deployed during the height of that emergency. While no injuries were reported, nearby buildings were evacuated and the public was again advised to remain indoors.

Videos and images from that incident also showed large flames and thick plumes of smoke, as well as loud bangs reported by residents. Fire crews remained at the scene for over a week before the situation was fully contained.

Regulatory Action and Compliance Issues

Following the 2024 incident, SEPA took enforcement action against Fenix Battery Recycling. In May 2024, the agency issued two enforcement notices requiring the removal of waste batteries that had been stored on-site for over six months. The company’s Waste Management Licence was also suspended, preventing it from handling waste until several corrective measures were completed. These included:

Removal of all fire debris
Development and implementation of a fire prevention and mitigation plan
Installation of a fire detection system

In addition, Fenix’s approval as an Approved Battery Treatment Operator (ABTO) was suspended pending proper storage of all batteries, including those temporarily stored in the fire-damaged building.

SEPA stated that these measures were necessary due to licensing non-compliance and damage to the site’s infrastructure, which posed a risk to public health and the environment.

Lin Bunten, SEPA’s Chief Operating Officer for Regulation, Business, and Environment, emphasized that license suspensions are not taken lightly but are essential when there is significant environmental risk.

It is currently unclear whether Fenix had complied with the 2024 enforcement notices prior to the second fire on 9 April 2025. SEPA has not yet confirmed the facility’s compliance status.