75 firefighters tackle huge blaze at west Belfast recycling plant

THE fire service has warned local homeholders to keep their windows closed as it battles a major fire at the west Belfast recycling plant Wastebeater.

The blaze is being tackled by 75 firefighters from 12 fire appliances at the Wastebeater's facility in the Kennedy Way industrial estate.

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) also appealed to people to avoid the area on foot or in their cars so that they do not hamper access for its vehicles.

Meanwhile, the company has reassured customers and the local community that it is "fully co-operating with the NIFRS" and will try to minimise disruption to customers and neighbours "over the hours and days ahead".

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A Wastebeater spokesman said:

"All of our staff have vacated the site and are accounted for. Wastebeater management is co-operating fully with the NIFRS and other emergency services. 

"We acknowledge the inconvenience caused to local people and we will do all that we can to minimise disruption over the hours and days ahead. 

"We have contingency plans in place to deal with any major incident and those plans were activated immediately. We are contacting our customers and they can be assured that despite this setback we will be open for business tomorrow and their waste management service will not be impacted.

"We will endeavour to keep local people informed as the situation develops."

The alarm was sounded about the fire around 4pm after a large amount of rubbish at the depot somehow caught fire.

It is understood that all employees left the facility unharmed.

Reports appeared on social media about huge plumes of black smoke being blown over the west of the city just after 5pm.

The smoke from the fire was still visible on the west Belfast skyline for most of Wednesday evening.

Earlier  thick, black plumes of smoke impeded the vision of motorists on M1 heading out of the city.

A NIFRS spokesman said: "Two fire appliances from Cadogan Fire Station, two fire appliances from Springfield Fire Station, two fire Appliances from Lisburn Fire Station and one fire appliance from Knock Fire Station have been deployed to the scene

"Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus and using jets are dealing with a large quantity of rubbish on fire in the area."

Wastebeater is a major recycling and waste management firm in Northern Ireland.

SDLP councillor Tim Attwood earlier tweeted that he hoped all the employees were safe.

@bbcnewsline major fire at wastebeater west Belfast pic.twitter.com/pTZ7N1RAjy — Wing Madden (@WingMadden) August 31, 2016