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Firefighters battle blaze at scrap metal recycling factory, locals warned to close windows and doors

Limerick Fire and Rescue have asked people to "avoid the area" (Photo: Twitter/LimerickFire) Expand

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Limerick Fire and Rescue have asked people to "avoid the area" (Photo: Twitter/LimerickFire)

Limerick Fire and Rescue have asked people to "avoid the area" (Photo: Twitter/LimerickFire)

Limerick Fire and Rescue have asked people to "avoid the area" (Photo: Twitter/LimerickFire)

David Raleigh

Firefighters will be "working hard for several hours to come" at a massive blaze at a scrap metal recycling factory in Limerick.

The fire broke out at the United Metals commercial premises on the Ballysimon Road, shortly after 8pm on Monday evening.

Large plumes of smoke could be seen billowing from the area, for miles around.

Limerick City and County Fire Service, which is responding to the blaze, asked people living in the vicinity of the fire to close their doors and windows as a health and safety precaution. They wrote online; "100ft Bronto Aerial Appliance along with Green Watch Crews will be working hard for several hours to come. Please avoid the area."

A spokesperson at the Munster Fire Control headquarters said it received a 999 alert around 8.18pm about a fire at the United Metals company, Ballysimon Road, Limerick.

Nine fire trucks have been dispatched to tackle the blaze.

United Metals has been operating since 2010 and is involved in exporting all materials bought, directly into the international markets.

It also operates from a site at Limerick Docks where it recycles waste which is shipped to mills all over the world.

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