Fire at Belfast Harbour estate treated as accident

Blaze at scrap metal recycling centre has been brought under control after four days

A large fire which broke out at a scrap metal recycling business at Belfast Harbour on Tuesday afternoon could last a “number of days”, according to the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service. Video: Reuters

A fire which burned at the Belfast Harbour estate for four days has been put out.

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue service said on Friday the blaze at the scrap metal recycling centre on East Twin Road, Belfast, had been brought under control.

It said on Twitter the fire was believed to have started accidentally and firefighters worked “tirelessly” to extinguish it.

The fire broke out on Tuesday afternoon, sending large plumes of smoke billowing over parts of Belfast.

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The service's group commander Paul Rogers told the BBC on Wednesday the fire involved "approximately 10,000 tonnes of metal and waste product".

More than 50 firefighters, six fire appliances and additional specialist equipment, including a specialist command unit, aerial high reach appliances and high volume pumps were deployed to fight the blaze, as well as two fire tugs.