Over 50 residents who were evacuated yesterday following a fire at a disused recycling plant at Lismore, Co Waterford, have begun returning to their homes.
Residents from 20 homes were evacuated from the area following fears that asbestos particles may have been released into the air by the fire at the former Samshire plant.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has confirmed there is no threat of asbestos poisoning although residents have been advised to keep doors and windows closed where smoke continues to be present.
Waterford County Council said today that fire services will remain on site due to smouldering material.
Gardaí believe the fire was started maliciously and believe it was linked to a smaller fire which broke out at the derelict centre on Tuesday night.
The former recycling centre was operated by Samshire Recycling Ltd, the council's agent for the processing of recyclable goods collected from households, shops and businesses across the county.
However, the Samshire plant closed three years ago and has remained derelict since.
The newly elected mayor of Lismore last Friday called for thousands of tonnes of rubbish to be moved out of the town.
Jan Rotte said recyclable waste has been left fester at the site for three years since the Samshire site went out of business and said that the site was now a serious health hazard for the town.
Waterford County Council has been seeking the removal of hazardous material from the site through the courts, but the mayor said the town "shouldn't have to wait for a legal settlement for the rubbish to be removed".
