LAST UPDATE | 28 Dec 2021

THERE ARE OVER 50 firefighters currently fighting a large fire that broke out in Belfast Harbour earlier this afternoon.

The fire itself broke out in the Belfast Harbour Estate in Belfast around the Westbank Road and Dargan Road area in a scrap metal recycling centre.

According to Aidan Jennings of the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS), the fire is well-developed and there are over 50 firefighters, six appliances and additional specialists deployed.

High volume pumps have also been deployed to help control the blaze, alongside two fire tugs.

Firefighters at the scene have prevented the fire from spreading to nearby site buildings, equipment and a neighboring site.

“This will be protracted incident and it is expected that firefighting operations will be ongoing over the next few days,” said Jennings.

East Belfast Police advised motorists to avoid the area and those living nearby to keep their windows closed. 

Police are currently in attendance as Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service deal with a fire at waste ground in the Queen’s Road area of Belfast Harbour Estate.
Motorists are advised to avoid the area and anyone living nearby is asked to keep their windows closed.

— Police East Belfast (@PSNIBelfastE) December 28, 2021

Images and videos from people in the area show a large plume of smoke coming from the site. 

According to local news outlet Q Radio news, four fire engines were at the scene at about 1 pm today. 

Firefighters are dealing with a blaze in the Belfast Harbour Estate.

Four fire engines have been at the scene of the fire on the East Twin Road since just after 1pm today. pic.twitter.com/o48wzBaOst

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) December 28, 2021

According to Traffic Watch Northern Ireland the motorway has not been impacted by the blaze.

fire @BelfastHarbour estate continues (14:50) https://t.co/d8C65sMGAV pic.twitter.com/6wih2EFhcD

— Trafficwatch NI (@TrafficwatchNI) December 28, 2021

Updated by Tadgh McNally