A SKIP fire company fears it could be forced to close if it is made to pay out for water pollution resulting from a major fire.

A blaze devastated Bob’s Skips, in Harvey Road, Basildon, last Wednesday after piles of rubbish caught alight.

The Environment Agency claims firefighting water ran off into the River Crouch nearby, polluting the area and distressing fish.

Vicky Walker, 48, who co-owns the company with husband Bob, fears staff may lose their jobs if they are forced to pay costs for the river pollution.

She said: “The fire caused such a lot of damage to our yard and we no longer have the space and or equipment to dispose of waste.

“We have lost a lot of trade since the fire and normally the run up the August bank holiday would be our busiest time.

“The damage caused will probably cost between £30,000 and £40,000 to fix and we are hoping to be open for full business again in a few weeks.”

Mrs Walker said Bob’s Skips had already spent about £26,000 to clear the waterways after the fire, but could face a further claim from the Environment Agency.

She added: “If the Environment Agency does decide to charge us the cost will be mega, we will be looking at between £50,000 and £60,000.

“If that happens it will probably put us out of business and people cold lose their jobs.

“We currently have six members of staff and we were looking to recruit more.

“The clean up operation is likely to take a week or so as we are still waiting for new equipment for disposing waste to be delivered.”

Mrs Walker added: “My husband and I have built up our business from nothing, we started with only one lorry and ten skips and we not have six lorries and many more skips.”

Fire crews from across south Essex battled the blaze for 12 hours last Wednesday and huge plumes of black smoke could be seen bellowing across Basildon.

A spokesman for the Environment Agency said: “Our investigations showed firefighting water entered the River Crouch at Nevendon Bushes Brook. Oxygen levels dropped and fish were seen to be in distress.

“The operator co-operated with our requests and arranged for a number of tankers to remove firewater run-off from their site and the river.

“We deployed aerators in the River Crouch to increase oxygen levels.

“These were removed on Monday when oxygen levels returned to normal. We took this action to minimise the environmental impact of the pollution.

“We will seek to recover costs, and once we have completed our investigation we will decide if enforcement action is appropriate and in the public interest.”