Abstract

In December 2020, a significant fire erupted at a waste storage facility in Kagghamra, near Stockholm. The facility, originally designated for storing up to 10,000 tons of demolition wood, wood, and metal construction waste, had faced prior complaints for exceeding storage limits in terms of duration and the types of waste stored.
The fire covered a vast area, resembling the size of a football field, with flames reaching 5 to 10 meters in height. Its proximity to a river, a bay, and a groundwater source presented a unique challenge, as traditional water-based firefighting risked environmental contamination. Consequently, the decision was made to extinguish the fire by covering it with sand. The initial sand layer was in place by February 10th, 2021, markedly reducing smoke emissions and marking the conclusion of the open burning phase. By February 19th, 2021, the final sand cover was complete, officially signaling the end of the fire-fighting efforts.

To assess potential population exposure, two monitoring locations were established: Söderängstorp, positioned approximately 900 meters south-southwest of the fire, and Tegelvreten, located roughly 1,000 meters east-northeast of the fire.
Monitoring included measurements of fine particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), nitrogen oxide (NO), and black carbon (BC). Data collection commenced in early 2021 and continued until May 3rd, 2021, providing essential insights into the aftermath of the Kagghamra fire.

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