The fire at the recycling plant, which belongs to Ragn Sells, Norway's largest reception facility for used tires, began in a tire shredder and spread to piles of tires outside, according to multiple reports. Fire chief Morten Meen Gallefos said the fire may continue for several days, as the large volume of tires makes extinguishing difficult. No injuries have been reported from the incident, but a significant emergency response has been mobilized, with 70-80 personnel from fire services, health services, police, and the Red Cross working to contain the blaze.
In addition to the recycling plant fire, Bamble has seen a series of other incidents. A tanker loaded with liquid fertilizer ran aground off Langøya, but police confirmed there is no risk of leakage. Separately, a serious accident occurred in Bamble with three people critically injured, though police later corrected that only one person was critically injured. A vehicle ended up in the water, and divers and a rescue helicopter were dispatched; a person was pulled from the water and received life-saving first aid, police said. A boat fire also occurred on Skjerkøya, with the boat in a plastic hall containing 4-5 other boats. According to operasjonsleder Eskil Hagen Olsen, the boat was pulled out of the hall and the fire was brought under control. Police stated that the boat fire was caused by hot work that got out of control.