Recycling plant fire 'may last days'

75 Firefighters are battling an major blaze at a waste Recycling facility in West Belfast. 

The fire broke out at Wastebeater on the Blackstaff road, near Kennedy way earlier this evening. 

All staff from the firm were evacuated and have been accounted for. 

Thick smoke is blowing across the Motorway causing issues for drivers. 

12 appliances are battling the flames, which may take hours to bring under controll, and days to fully extinguish. 

The fire currently stretches across an area of almost 120 metres and is up to two floors high, it is likely that it will take a number of hours to fully contain.

Group Commander Keith Black said “we continue to deal with an extensive fire at business premises at the Blackstaff Road area of west Belfast this evening.

There are approximately 75 personnel and  12 fire appliances at the incident, including specialist high-reach vehicles and a dedicated control unit.

"The fire is creating a high volume of smoke in and around the area and  a plume across  the M1 motorway.

"Members of the public should avoid the area  both in vehicles and on foot in order to leave emergency access available at all times. People in  commercial premises or housing in the vicinity of the fire should keep  doors and windows closed to avoid the smoke.