Updated 9.09pm

LOCALS HAVE REPORTED hearing explosions as a fire blazes at the Oxigen Environmental plant at Merrywell Industrial Estate in Clondalkin.

A local told TheJournal.ie that “little explosions” woke people up and could even be heard as far as Crumlin Garda Station. Gardaí and Dublin Fire Brigade are attending the scene.

Gardaí have asked members of the public to keep windows and doors of homes and business premises closed “due to the toxicity of the burning  material and strong winds”.

Firefighters believe they could be battling the blaze for the rest of the weekend. Gardaí don’t expect to be able to do forensic tests of the site until Monday, by when it is hoped the plant will have been made safe.

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A spokesperson from the Dublin Fire Brigade told TheJournal.ie that there are eight units still at the scene.

The firefighters are in ‘offensive mode’, meaning they are inside the building and fighting the fire from that location.

The fire was reported to the fire service at 3.13am and it is still going.

He said there had been a few “minor explosions” and that there is an ambulance at the scene, in case its services are needed.

It is not believed anyone has been injured in the fire.

Oxigen Environmental is a waste management company that offers recycling services and waste-water treatment.

In addition, a small electrical fire was reported at a business at Ballymount at 6.20am. One pump was sent to this fire and it has been extinguished.