Why Firefighters Still Encounter Asbestos in the UK

The flames may be out. The smoke may have cleared. But for firefighters, the danger doesn't always end when the fire does.

In April 2025, crews were called to a major fire at the historic Hangar 3 at Old Sarum Airfield in Wiltshire. As thick smoke rose from the First World War hangar, local residents were advised to stay indoors and keep their windows and doors closed as emergency services responded to the incident. It wasn't because asbestos had been confirmed in the air. It was because, in older buildings like this, responders cannot afford to take that chance. Precaution comes first.

That single decision highlights something many people don't realise.

For firefighters, every fire is different, but every fire scene must be treated as if hidden hazards may be present.

When entering an older building, crews don't have the luxury of knowing exactly what is behind every wall, above every ceiling or beneath every roof covering. They make decisions in seconds, often in conditions of poor visibility, extreme heat and rapidly changing risks.

One of those risks is asbestos.

Although asbestos has been banned in the UK for many years, it remains in millions of buildings constructed before 2000. It can still be found in roofing sheets, asbestos cement products, insulation boards, ceiling tiles, pipe insulation and many other building materials that were once chosen because they were strong and highly resistant to heat.

Ironically, one of the properties that made asbestos so popular in construction is one of the reasons it continues to be encountered during fires.

As buildings become damaged or begin to collapse, asbestos-containing materials may fracture. If those materials are disturbed, fibres can potentially be released. During an active fire, it is impossible to visually identify every asbestos-containing material or immediately assess whether fibres have been released. That uncertainty is exactly why firefighters work cautiously until the risks have been properly evaluated.

This is also why you'll often see firefighters wearing breathing apparatus long after the visible flames have disappeared.

Those masks are not worn only because of smoke.

Fire scenes can contain a complex mixture of hazardous substances, including toxic combustion products, fine particulates, heavy metals and chemicals released from plastics, insulation materials and modern building contents. Every incident presents a different combination of hazards, which is why respiratory protection remains essential even during the later stages of an incident.

It's also important to understand what precautionary advice really means.

When residents are asked to remain indoors or keep their windows closed, it does not automatically mean asbestos contamination has been confirmed. It means emergency services are applying a precautionary approach while specialists assess the situation. That is exactly what happened during the Old Sarum Airfield incident, where the advice was later lifted once the immediate concern had passed.

Behind every fire scene is a carefully managed operation that most people never see.

While the public sees flames, firefighters are constantly assessing structural stability, hazardous materials, changing weather conditions and the safety of everyone around them. Protecting lives means managing both the visible dangers and the invisible ones.

Asbestos is only one part of that picture. Understanding this isn't about creating fear. It's about recognising the professionalism behind every emergency response, and understanding why the precautions taken after a fire are just as important as those taken during it.

Need an asbestos survey or professional advice?

Whether you're planning a refurbishment, demolition project or simply need guidance on managing asbestos in your building, ACMS is here to help.