Tyre Blaze May Have Been Deliberate

The huge fire that broke out in a tyre depot in Co Londonderry overnight may have been arson.

The Fire Service is investigating if the blaze could have been deliberate and the police have also appealed for information to anyone who may have witnessed any suspicious activity.

The fire started at the Campsie Industrial Estate in Eglinton and involved some 50,000 tyres in the blaze.

Firefighters are said to have found four separate fires across the one-acre site, which points to arson as the cause.

Altough it started on Sunday night, it is believed it could take until the middle of Tuesday to fully extinguish.

During the night, more than 70 fire-figthers - including crews from Donegal - have been fighting to control it.

Fire Service District Commander, Ian Doyle, stated that 16 appliances were pumping thousands of gallons of water onto the fire.

"A huge plume of smoke has been issuing from the fire for the past nine hours," he said.

According to local councillor, Jim McKeever, at the fire's height the flames were up to 50ft high.

"There was a plume of black smoke going over the horizon, which is five or six miles away," he said.

Meanwhile, Co Londonderry residents have been warned to keep their windows closed due to the amount of smoke.

Motorists have also been advised to take an alternative route via Courtauld Way, because the main entrance to Campsie Industrial Estate on Coleraine side is closed.

(CL/BMcC)