Firefighters battle ‘well-developed’ Belfast docks blaze involving ‘4,500 tonnes of scrap cars’

Firefighters have continued to battle a major blaze in Belfast throughout Wednesday night.

Crews were called to reports of a major fire on Queen’s Island at the Clearway Disposals site shortly after 12:15pm on Wednesday.

Firefighters from stations across counties Antrim and Down remained at the scene overnight, working alongside Belfast Harbour fire tugs to extinguish the fire. 

A spokesperson for Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) said the “well-developed fire” involves 4,500 tonnes of scrap cars at the site.

Earlier today, a spokesperson for Belfast Harbour Police said local residents in the area should keep their windows and doors closed.

“We are working closely with Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, and staff of Clearway Disposals, following the out break of a fire at its scrap metal recycling facility in the Harbour Estate,” the spokesperson said.

“We would advise local residents and surrounding businesses to keep windows and doors closed, as a precautionary measure and for people to avoid the area.”

A large section of the docks remained closed to the public on Wednesday after NIFRS received a report of the incident at approximately 12.15pm.

Dark plumes of smoke were seen across the city throughout the day.

Two pilot boats were also battling the blaze from the water.

Tonight, a spokesperson for NIFRS said: “NIFRS remain in attendance at a well-developed fire involving 4,500 tonnes of scrap cars at East Twin Road, Shipyard, Belfast. Firefighters are working alongside Belfast Harbour fire tugs to extinguish the fire.

“Fire Crews from Central, Knock, Cadogan, Westland, Bangor and Glengormley Fire Stations, supported by an aerial appliance from Springfield Fire Station, a high-volume pump from Whitla Fire Station and a command support unit from Lisburn Fire Station. Firefighting is expected to continue throughout the night to deal with the blaze.”

It is understood operations at the adjacent Amazon site have not been affected.

The metal recycling company was contacted for comment.

In May firefighters tackled a blaze in a “large quantity of scrap metal” which broke out at the Clearway Disposals site.

It took 60 firefighters and nine appliances to put out the blaze, which was concentrated in an approximately 50m x 50m area.