Firefighters back campaign for UK contaminated land law

Campaigners demand urgent reform on UK landfill site safety

Campaigners gathered at the UK Houses of Parliament on 11 June to call for new legislation to protect communities from toxic landfill exposure, according to the Fire Brigades Union.

The proposed legislation, known as Zane’s Law, aims to improve accountability and public transparency regarding historical landfill sites.

It is named in memory of seven-year-old Zane Gbangbola, who died in 2014 following exposure to hydrogen cyanide gas believed to have migrated from a nearby landfill during floods.

Zane’s father, Kye Gbangbola, was paralysed in the same incident.

The Fire Brigades Union reported that more than twenty community groups affected by landfill and contaminated water shared their experiences at the summit.

Support was voiced by Baroness Natalie Bennett and solicitor Des Collins, who represented families in the Corby toxic waste case.

Firefighters raise concerns about flooding and toxic exposure

According to Surrey Fire and Rescue Service, hydrogen cyanide was detected at the Gbangbola home after floodwater passed through a nearby landfill site.

The Fire Brigades Union stated that the site has still not been thoroughly tested.

It cited a 2010 report identifying an “unacceptable risk” from migrating landfill gases that could cause “significant harm, serious injury and capable of causing death”.

Fire Brigades Union general secretary Steve Wright said: “Contamination from unregulated, historic landfill poses a serious threat to the environment, health and lives.

“With the climate emergency resulting in increasing floods, which threaten to spread this contamination, the government cannot ignore the rising risk.

“Everyone should have the right to live in a clean, healthy and sustainable environment.

“Firefighters, who are on the frontline of flooding incidents, stand with the communities who have been tragically impacted and with the continued call for justice for Zane.

“The UK government must bring in Zane’s Law to save lives by properly regulating contaminated land and water.”

Legal voices and political backing strengthen the campaign

Baroness Natalie Bennett, who chaired the 11 June summit, said: “Current UK regulations on contaminated land are grossly inadequate and a threat to the safety of many, especially given climate breakdown, rising sea levels, increased rainfall, and flooding.

“Zane’s Law proposes measures to address this crisis.

“The need to act was acknowledged in the 1990 Environment Protection Act, but then the protective provisions were removed after lobbying of the Conservative government by mass house builders.

“I hope, but sadly don’t expect, that Sir Keir Starmer’s government would step up to one of its primary responsibilities, to protect life.”

Des Collins, who also spoke at the summit, is the solicitor who represented families in the Corby toxic waste case and features in the recent Netflix series Toxic Town.

The Fire Brigades Union said the event was designed to give voice to communities facing similar dangers today.

Parents of Zane continue public call for reform

Kye and Nicole Gbangbola, Zane’s parents, continue to lead calls for the implementation of Zane’s Law.

Speaking at the summit, they said: “Today we’ll hear the brave voices of people who are struggling to get protection from the horrific impacts of living in proximity to toxic landfill and poisoned water – and hear them at the heart of government.

“Britain should be leading the way in environmental law, instead our legislation is woefully inadequate.

“We need Zane’s Law now!”

They have repeatedly called for government accountability over the contamination that led to their son’s death.

The Fire Brigades Union reiterated that firefighters, frequently responding to flood emergencies, are directly exposed to the consequences of such regulatory failings.

Summit highlights systemic gaps in environmental protection

Campaigners, the Fire Brigades Union noted, presented evidence of systemic failures across the UK related to unregulated landfill sites.

It stated that despite known risks from sites like the one near the Gbangbola residence, testing and remediation actions have been delayed or avoided.

The union said this summit marked a renewed effort to push for legislative change before further incidents occur.

The organisation also underlined that the calls for Zane’s Law represent not only a push for environmental reform but also a demand for justice for affected families.

According to the Fire Brigades Union, the event brought together affected communities, legal experts and emergency responders to make a unified appeal for government intervention.

Firefighters back campaign for UK contaminated land law: Summary

Campaigners held a summit at the UK Houses of Parliament on 11 June 2025.

The summit called for new legislation named Zane’s Law to regulate contaminated land.

The event was supported by the Fire Brigades Union.

Zane’s Law is named after Zane Gbangbola, who died in 2014 following exposure to hydrogen cyanide.

His father, Kye Gbangbola, was paralysed in the same incident.

Surrey Fire and Rescue Service detected hydrogen cyanide at the family’s home.

A 2010 report had warned of serious risks from migrating landfill gases.

The landfill site near the Gbangbola home has not been fully tested.

More than twenty community groups participated in the summit.

The summit was chaired by Baroness Natalie Bennett.

Solicitor Des Collins, involved in the Corby toxic waste case, also spoke.

Steve Wright of the Fire Brigades Union voiced support for the campaign.

Kye and Nicole Gbangbola called the legislation “urgently needed”.

The Fire Brigades Union said firefighters are regularly exposed during flooding.

The organisation urged the UK government to introduce Zane’s Law.

Image Source: Fire Brigades Union