WATCH: Firefighters battle 'deliberate' blaze at north Belfast recycling plant

By Q Radio News

A fire at a Belfast recycling plant is believed to have been started deliberately.

The Fire Service has asked people to keep doors and windows closed as firefighters continue to deal with what was a substantial fire at a waste recycling depot in north Belfast. 

They were called to the scene at Duncrue Pass shortly after 10pm last night - but the blaze has been brought under control.

Firefighters believe the blaze at a waste recycling depot in north Belfast was started deliberately. pic.twitter.com/39uTeTCkUI

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) June 28, 2021

Eight fire service pumping appliances, one aerial appliance and one support vehicle attended the fire and worked through the night to tackle it.

Six appliances and support vehicles remained at the scene on Monday morning.

A Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) Spokesperson said: 

“The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service is continuing to deal with what was a substantial fire at a waste recycling depot at Duncrue Pass, Belfast.

"There are currently 6 pumping appliances and specialist vehicles in attendance. The fire has been brought under control. The public are asked to avoid the area and also keep windows and doors closed.”

The fire at Duncrue Pass on an industrial estate in north Belfast was brought under control this morning.

Eight fire service pumping appliances, one aerial appliance and one support vehicle attended the scene as crews worked through the night battling the flames. pic.twitter.com/RMjxkqRoW2

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) June 28, 2021

NIFRS group commander William Johnson told the BBC he believes the blaze was started deliberately and that “good progress” has been made in tackling the flames, aided by very little wind in terms of weather conditions.

However he said there is “still a lot of work to be done due to the integrity of the building and contents of the building”.

He described the part of the site where the fire was as a waste recycling storage area.

“We haven’t made entry into the premises itself so we can’t determine that (cause of the fire) ultimately but currently we believe that it was a deliberate fire,” he said.

People are being urged to avoid the area where possible and those living and working nearby are advised to keep their windows closed.