05/10/2009

Donegal Crew Tackles Derry Tyre Blaze

More than 70 fire-figthers - including crews from Donegal - have been fighting to control a huge fire in a tyre factory in Co Londonderry.

It started at the Campsie Industrial Estate in Eglinton and involved some 50,000 tyres in the blaze.

The fire started on Sunday night and flames were still coming from the depot on Monday morning.

Fire Service District Commander, Ian Doyle, stated that 16 appliances were pumping thousands of gallons of water onto the fire.

"A huge plume of smoke has been issuing from the fire for the past nine hours," he said.

According to local councillor, Jim McKeever, at the fire's height the flames were up to 50ft high.

"There was a plume of black smoke going over the horizon, which is five or six miles away," he said.

Meanwhile, Co Londonderry residents have been warned to keep their windows closed due to the amount of smoke.

Motorists have also been advised to take an alternative route via Courtauld Way, because the main entrance to Campsie Industrial Estate on Coleraine side is closed.

(CL/BMcC)

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