A significant fire broke out at a battery recycling facility in Kilwinning, North Ayrshire on 9 April 2025, exactly one year to the day after a similar incident at the same location. Six fire appliances from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) responded to the scene at the Fenix site on Byrehill Place, following reports of explosions and thick plumes of smoke.

Local residents described scenes of chaos and fear. "It is like a movie scene with all the batteries, with cables coming out," one said, noting debris strewn across the area, with visible battery fragments and cables. Emergency services promptly evacuated surrounding homes as a precaution, while Police Scotland advised the public to keep windows shut and avoid handling any debris.

Thankfully, no injuries were reported. However, the fire, characterised by multiple explosions, has reignited serious concerns about fire risk management in facilities dealing with hazardous materials. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and the Scottish Ambulance Service’s special operations team also attended the scene.

SEPA, which revoked the site operator’s waste management licence in 2024 due to ongoing compliance issues, confirmed it had taken watercourse samples and would continue monitoring the environmental impact. The operator had previously been instructed to remove unauthorised waste and implement fire prevention strategies by June 2025.

Local councillors voiced frustration over the recurrence of such incidents, highlighting ongoing concerns over safety in battery recycling operations.

This event underscores the importance of robust fire prevention plans, site-specific risk assessments, and regulatory compliance, particularly for sites handling volatile materials.

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