30 Lorries Go Up in Flames in HUGE Fire

[Ladybbird]

Antrim Fire: 30 Lorries Go Up in Flames as Residents Told to keep Windows Closed

Antrim and Newtownabbey police said they were called to the fire in Stiles Way at the Rathenraw Industrial Estate at about 8.30pm on Tuesday night

Irish Central 20 OCT 2021






The fire at a warehouse in Antrim Dozens of firefighters are tackling the blaze


A huge blaze has erupted at an industrial estate in Antrim with 30 lorries bursting into flames and residents told to keep their windows shut.

Antrim and Newtownabbey police said they were called to the fire in Stiles Way at the Rathenraw Industrial Estate at about 8.30pm.

Several nearby residents said on social media they had heard a number of 'large explosions' from the fire.

Roy Purvis, Group Commander at the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service [NIFRS], said 38 firefighters were involved in tackling the blaze, along with six appliances.

He said it started in a single lorry on Tuesday night before spreading to about 30 other trailers.

Foam and water jets are being used by firefighters to tackle the blaze and to bring it under control.

Antrim and Newtownabbey Police have asked residents near the estate to "stay indoors and keep their windows closed due to large amounts of smoke in the area".

Belfast Live reports that at least one trailer on fire contains plastic which is causing some concern for firefighters at the scene.

The blaze can be seen from some distance with a number of images and videos circulating on social media.

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined

An NIFRS spokesman said it was too early to establish if the blaze was deliberate or accidental.

The B518 Stiles Way has been closed in both directions as a result of the blaze at the nearby industrial estate.

Police are calling on all people and road users to avoid the area while emergency services attempt to deal with the fire.

Residents living nearby have also been advised by police at the scene to stay indoors and keep their windows closed due to large amounts of smoke in the area.