DEMOLITION work has begun at a Derry recycling plant where a major fire broke out.
The roof and external wall panels of a building at the Maydown site are being knocked down to give crews better access to the seat of the blaze, the fire service has said.
A spokesman for the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said: "Since Wednesday the fire has continued to burn out to such an extent now that it is now safe for the demolition of the building to commence."
At its height, 45 firefighters from Derry, Strabane, Omagh and Dungiven were involved in the operation to extinguish hundreds of tonnes of rubbish.
There are currently 11 appliances including two high volume pumps, an aerial appliance and a command support unit currently in attendance.
Police, council and public health and environment agency representatives are also on site.
On Thursday NIFRS warned that the fire could burn for several days and householders in the vicinity are still being advised to keep their windows and doors shut.
The NIFRS spokesman added: "Although the smoke plume from the fire has decreased in size, NIFRS continues to advise householders and premises in the area to keep windows and doors closed.
"Windy conditions remain on the weather forecast and people need to be vigilant to a change in wind direction, keeping windows and doors closed."
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
