Firefighters remain at scene of recycling site blaze

Firefighters remain at the scene of a large blaze at a recycling site in east Belfast.

Flames and plumes of black smoke could be seen emerging from the area in the city's Titanic Quarter on Sunday afternoon.

The fire is at the Clearway metal recycling business in East Twin Road, according to the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS).

Area Commander David Harbinson said about 75 firefighters were dealing with the blaze at its peak.

The NIFRS said it is working to extinguish a "large quantity of scrap metal", approximately 50m by 50m, at the recycling site.

A total of nine pumping appliances, an aerial appliance and a high volume pump were engaged in the firefighting operations on Sunday.

Crews used a high volume pump to spray water to the fire.

The NIFRS said there have been no reported injuries and all people are accounted for.

By 22:30 BST on Sunday NIFRS said it had scaled back operations, but crews are still on site on Monday.

Harbinson told BBC News NI on Sunday evening that he expected NIFRS was going to be at the scene for another number of hours.

"We had approximately 2,500 tonnes of scrap metal went alight, so very difficult conditions," he said.

"Radiated heat from the scrap metal was quite intense but we have arrangements well in place in terms of dealing with this here and our operations are ongoing."

Speaking to BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster on Monday, DUP assembly member David Brooks said this is the second time in five years that there has been a fire at this location.

He said when advice is issued for people to keep their windows and doors shut as a safety precaution, it can "create some concern as to what exactly will be coming, particularly from a recycling centre, what people will be likely to be breathing in".

"It does cause some concern in the local community."

Books added: "It's a bank holiday at the moment, it's a busy time I imagine for firefighters, particularly with the hot weather that we have, and it's another major incident that adds to their workload, so just be thankful for the firefighters that were here and have helped deal with the issue."

A spokesperson for Belfast Harbour Police said they are working with the police, fire service and Clearway following the outbreak of the fire in the Harbour Estate.

"We would advise local residents in the surrounding area to keep windows and doors closed as a precautionary measure and for people to avoid the area," they added.