THE FIRE Service say the blaze at Brickkiln Recycling Centre in Derry could burn for several more days.
The blaze was discovered this morning at a security guard at the disused site on Electra Road in Maydown who immediately raised the alarm.
Score of firefighters from the North West raced to the scene.
Now they have been told they will have to dig in for the long haul as it could be days before the fire is finally put out.
Fire chiefs say it is too dangerous for crew to enter buildings at this stage.
In a statement this afternoon, the Fire and Rescue Service said: “We are advising that the fire at Brickkiln Enviroparc, Electra Road, Maydown, Derry 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.
“We 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.”
The view of the fire from Todds of Campsie this morning
The scene from Derry City Airport of the fire at Campsie
