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Following a large-scale fire at Desborough Airfield, near Stoke Albany, shortly before 8.30pm on Thursday, March 20, our crews continue to remain on site to monitor the controlled burn and resultant smoke plume.
Due to the partial collapse of the building, which housed thousands of tonnes of carpet waste, crews have been hindered by the limited access, but today (Sunday, March 23) firefighters will be attempting to extinguish the final two pockets of fire.
We still anticipate that the fire will continue to smoulder for several days, and that there will continue to be smoke drifting in and around the area, and therefore the advice remains the same for those affected.
Residents are advised to keep their windows and doors closed if affected by the drift of smoke but once it has passed, people are asked to ventilate their homes to ensure that any lingering odours disappear.
Any smoke can be an irritant the lining of the air passages, the skin, and the eyes, if people need to be outdoors, they are advised to avoid outside areas affected by any smoke or ash, or to limit the time that they spend in them.
To minimise your exposure, shelter as much as possible by limiting the amount of time you spend outside in the smoke. People with asthma who may be in the vicinity of the fire should carry their inhaler.
People who are generally fit and well are unlikely to experience long-term health problems from temporary exposure to smoke from a fire. However, exposure to smoke is more likely to affect people who have existing breathing problems, lung, or heart conditions as well as the very young and older adults, and smokers.
Anyone experiencing respiratory symptoms, including coughing, wheezing, breathlessness, sputum (phlegm) production and chest pain, should seek medical advice or call NHS 111. Or in a case of an emergency call 999.
If symptoms persist seek medical advice by contacting your General Practitioner (GP) or if a medical consultant is already treating an existing health condition, discuss your concerns and symptoms with them.
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Our crews remained at Desborough Airfield, near Stoke Albany, overnight and are expected to continue to be on site throughout the coming days.
Due to the intensity of the blaze, the roof of the building, which housed thousands of tonnes of carpet waste, collapsed. This has hampered the Service’s efforts to fully extinguish the fire, and crews from Corby are working hard to control fire and smoke plume.
We anticipate the fire will continue to burn for several days, and therefore our advice remains the same for nearby residents in Stoke Albany, Brampton Ash and Dingley to keep their windows and doors closed due to the drift of smoke and strong odour.
At the height of the fire, which is believed to have started shortly before 8.30pm on Thursday, March 20, six fire engines were on scene as crews used water jets to tackle the blaze, while an aerial appliance was used to tackle the large flames from heights.
Northamptonshire Fire & Rescue Service Group Manager Rob Green said: “I would like to thank members of the local community for their patience and support while we continue to manage this complex incident.
“Due to the way the building has collapsed it is proving difficult for our crews to effectively extinguish the remaining hot spots, but we are working hard to keep the fire under control and manage the resultant smoke plume along with our partner organisations.
“However, we would encourage residents affected by the drifting smoke to continue to keep their doors and windows closed in the meantime and follow our media channels for further updates.”
A Fire Investigation to determine a cause will take place once it is safe to do so.
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Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service remains at the scene of a fire at Desborough Airfield near Stoke Albany.
The Service was called shortly before 8.30pm last night (March 20) and on arrival, crews discovered a large former air hangar was ablaze.
A huge smoke plume was issuing from the hangar, which led to a request for nearby residents in Stoke Albany, Brampton Ash and Dingley to keep their windows and doors closed.
Crews used water jets to tackle the blaze, while an aerial pump was used to tackle the large flames from heights. Police were called to assist in putting in place a cordon, and the electricity supply to the building was isolated.
At the height of the blaze, six fire engines were on scene. Firefighters continued to tackle it and try and reduce the volume of smoke until the early morning, when the incident was scaled down to one pump and the aerial appliance at 1.30am.
We anticipate the fire will continue to burn for many hours yet. The Corby aerial appliance, a crew from Guilsborough and a high-volume pump remain at the scene and continue to try to reduce the smoke plume.
A Fire Investigation to determine a cause will take place once it is safe to do so.
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18 March 2025
Four-times Paralympic swimming medallist Maisie Summers-Newton will be racing lucky youngsters in the main pool when Moulton Leisure Centre holds a Family Open Day on Saturday, April 5.
The centre, run by award-winning operator Everyone Active on behalf of West Northamptonshire Council, is offering a host of free activities to the local community from 8am-5pm.
The opportunity to race six-times world champion Maisie, who trains at the site, is one of the highlights on the programme. The Wellingborough-based star is an Elite athlete on Everyone Active’s Sporting Champions scheme, which supports up-and-coming athletes in West Northamptonshire by giving them access to training facilities and mentoring sessions with the likes of Maisie and her fellow Paralympians and Olympians.
Also on offer at the family open day will be free use of the gym and spa, virtual body pump, studio cycling, a spinathon and Pilates.
A pool party for under-fives and an inflatable party for over-fives will take place, while the event will be supported by Northamptonshire Police and Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service. Northampton Town Football Club will provide health checks and there will be taster sessions with LJW Sports and Injury Clinic.
A cake sale will provide sweet treats and other food and refreshments will be available, with prizes on offer throughout the day.
Selected activities need to be pre-booked via reception on 01604 492222. For details of the full schedule, please visit the Moulton Leisure Centre Facebook page.
While many activities are free, Everyone Active is asking for voluntary donations to its charity partner, Breast Cancer Now.
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18 March 2025
Potential candidates are reminded that the window of opportunity to stand as a candidate in the upcoming local elections on Thursday, 1 May is now open.
With the West Northamptonshire Council and Parish/Town Councils elections coming up, now is the time for those who are considering standing for election to get involved and help shape the future of your communities.
These roles provide residents with the opportunity to be directly involved in decisions that impact their neighbourhoods. Elected for a four-year term, councillors serve as the voice of their community, working closely with neighbours to create positive changes that influence every aspect of daily life. Whether it is improving parks, supporting schools, or ensuring that vital services are available for those in need, stepping forward as a candidate allows residents to shape the changes that matter most.
Councillors are there to support their local area in many ways. They help residents by responding to concerns, investigating issues, and working on solutions that improve everyday life. They keep people informed about what’s happening locally, whether by attending meetings, working with parish councils, or sharing key updates. The role also involves attending council meetings, reading reports, and helping to shape policies that make a lasting impact. Crucially, councillors work with a range of partners, from the police and healthcare providers to schools and voluntary groups, ensuring that the community’s needs are met through collaboration and strong leadership.
As part of the process, nomination papers (applications) should be submitted from until Wednesday, 2 April 2025. An appointment system at various locations across the area, will be used to process nominations efficiently. For location information or to book an appointment, please visit our website.
Anna Earnshaw, Returning Officer for the local election in West Northamptonshire said
"Standing for local elections isn’t just about taking on a role – it’s about making a real difference in the lives of our neighbours. Every day, I see how our local decisions can improve the quality of life in our community, from safer parks and better schools to services that truly support families in need.
“When you step up to serve, you help build a community where everyone’s voice is heard and every issue matters. I believe that by working together, we can create a brighter future for all of us. This is your chance to bring about change in the areas you care about most, and to make our community a place we are all proud to call home."
For further information about the election process, eligibility criteria, and how you can get involved, please visit our Elections 2025 page.
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