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Updated at 4.30pm
EMERGENCY SERVICES SAY a huge fire at St Margaret’s metal recycling plant in north Dublin is now under control.
Some units that were tending the fire have been released from the scene, but others will remain “to dampen down any hot spots”, said Dublin Fire Brigade on Twitter.
The family-run “scrap-metal specialists” at St Margaret’s collects metal from all over Leinster, dismantling old cars to sell parts and disposing of others.
Dublin Fire Brigade said earlier that eight fire units, including an aerial ladder and a foam unit were sent to the scene at Sandyhills, which is located near Dublin Airport.
Dublin Airport Fire and Rescue Service also attended the scene.
Dublin Fire is advised residents in the surrounding area to continue to keep their windows closed earlier this afternoon.
The Minister for Communications Denis Naughten confirmed that the Environmental Protection Agency was monitoring the situation.
Airport operations
After some passengers at Dublin Airport tweeted out questions wondering whether the giant plume of smoke would impact on flights, the airport clarified that the fire “is not on the airport campus and the smoke is not having an impact on airport operations”.
Dublin Fire Brigade said it’s receiving “increased water supply assistance” from Fingal County Council to tackle the blaze.
It’s not yet known what caused the fire, or the extent of the damage it caused. No casualties have been reported.
AA Roadwatch earlier advised motorists to drive with care, as the smoke may affect visibility on St Margaret’s Road.
First posted at 10am
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St Margaret’s metal recycling plant? Oh yes, St. Margaret – the patron saint of scrap metal…
@BlueSkyThinking: the townland is called St Margarets
@BlueSkyThinking: Comedic commentating is not your forte .
@BlueSkyThinking: Burned!
@BlueSkyThinking: Patron saint of childbirth apparently. She was beheaded in 306 in Antioch by the Emperor Diocletian for refusing to marry to local prefect.
@Keith Flood: I think it was funny. Maybe you didn’t get it.
@Sean: Legend says that while she was in prison, she was swallowed by a dragon, who then spat her up again because of the cross she carried. Little is actually known about her. Her feast day is July 20. Honestly you couldn’t make this stuff up!
@Sean: The religion of peace.
@Sean: They did make it up.
@William Grogan: Oh I get it alright , your sister will confirm .
@BlueSkyThinking: Que ?
This is a local hard working family who have been there a long time. Employ plenty of people there too. Honest decent people also work in the scrap business.
Family run business…nice family…decent….hard working
@John Culhane: Who is insuring scrap and why?
Who deals in scrap cars then????? Hmmmm let me think!
@Dave barrett: The company has 2 directors who are not directors of any other company. What’s your point?
Fire & Fury
Lots of smoke! Does this mean that Ireland’s recycling activities for the past 10 years has actually had a negative environmental impact?
Probably someone forgot to get The Immersion replaced.
Some tourist didn’t wanna leave Ireland.
@Aimoo: Americans probably.
If i was about to board a plane and saw plumes of black smoke in the distance I’d wanna know what it is too!! God I hate flying.
@Larry Doyle: Will the journal write an article on the burning of John Culhane?
@Matt Connolly: Maybe I should try and take out some insurance on him………
how the hell did this place ever get planning so close to st Margaret primary school and literally under planes taking off. planning so strict in st Margaret absolute disgrace with children across the road
@Kathryn Dwyer:
Depends on how long they are there.
@Kathryn Dwyer: oh my god
THINK OF THE CHILDREN
@Kathryn Dwyer: By your logic, Ikea & all the other commercial units shouldn’t have gotten planning permission either.
That would melt the terminator
Wow is that McDonnells? That’s awful
Local hard working decent family from the area own this place.
have your say