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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
National
Gregor Young

Fire service issues warning amid battle against massive blaze at Scottish landfill

PEOPLE in the east of Scotland "who can smell smoke" have been advised to keep their doors and windows shut as firefighters battle a massive blaze at a landfill site.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) put out a warning on Sunday afternoon amid an “ongoing fire” at Meikle Drumgray Road in Airdrie.

The fire is reported to be at the FCC Environment landfill site. The firm has been approached for comment.

The SFRS said on Sunday: “Firefighters remain at the scene of an ongoing fire at a landfill site near Airdrie.

“Residents nearby and in the east of Scotland who can smell smoke are advised to keep windows and doors shut.

“If travelling through smoke, motorists should keep windows closed, turn off air conditioning and keep their air vents closed.”

On Saturday, the force said it had been called to the blaze a little after midday, that five fire applicances were in attendance, and that the watchdogs had been called in "to evaluate the environmental impact".

Writing on social media, one user said they could “smell Airdrie burning in Edinburgh”, adding that it was “mental”.

Screenshot of drone imagery of the fire at an Airdrie landfill was shared online (Image: Facebook)

Another user shared drone imagery of the fire to the Airdrie (Scotland) Community Support group on Facebook.

They wrote: “Absolutely mental this fire! I got some night shots of it too.

“It seems as though the ground crews can't get this thing under control, and since there's no access to fire services, they can't even put it out.

“The wind is blowing right at it too, keeping the flames alive.

“Hope nobody gets hurt by this!”

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