Fire service issue statement on blaze at Electra Road in Derry

 
NIFRS Statement – Fire at Waste Management Facility, Electra Road, Maydown Derry
A Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service spokesperson said:
“Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) is advising that the fire at Brickkiln Enviroparc, Electra Road, Maydown, Londonderry will likely burn for several more days.
“Due to the intensity of the fire, the nature of the building and material inside it this is going to be a protracted incident. The building is approx. 50m x 30m and contained bales of recyclable domestic rubbish.  Due to the compact nature of how the bales were stacked within the building the water is running off the surface of the bales and is not currently reaching the seat of the fire within the building.  It is not safe to commit firefighters to enter the building as it is structurally unsafe.
“Currently there is a large smoke plume coming from the fire and the advice to householders and premises in the area is to keep windows and doors closed.  Windy conditions are forecast for the next 24 hours and people need to be vigilant to a change in wind direction and keep windows and doors closed.
“NIFRS is working closely with the site owners, NI Environment Agency, Public Health Agency and Derry City & Strabane District Council in the ongoing management of this incident.
“NIFRS will keep Firefighters on scene to continue our firefighting operation over the coming days.
“The initial call to this incident was received at 8:38am (Wednesday 11 Nov 2015) and 12 Fire Appliances were mobilised to the incident. It is too early to determine the cause of the fire at this stage.”