Residents seek evacuation protocol following huge fire at warehouse in Derry

Enagh Youth Forum said that this is merely the latest in a series of emergency fire incidents in this industrial zone.

Dozens of fire fighters were tasked to the blaze at Foyle Port on Wednesday morning as large plumes of smoke could be seen right across the city.

The fire broke out within a grain storage shed on Shore Road.

Paul Hughes from Enagh Youth Forum said that residents are demanding a full review into what happened, “and for measures to be put in place to prevent something like this from happening again”.

Sinn Féin Councillor for the area Paul Fleming has also highlighted the concerns of residents.

Mr Hughes said: “We have enough pollution in the area due to high industry without having to inhale toxic fire fumes.

“Thankfully the wind direction meant that no evacuation of Stradowen and Clonmeen Drive was required, however residents want a plan put in place in case situations like this happen again!

“We will be contacting Foyle Port, Derry City & Strabane District Council and The Fire Service to ensure that a proper communication and evacuation protocol now be developed to ensure the safety of our local community should something like this ever happen again. Today’s fire was far too close and residents were afraid, worried that the fire was going to spread.

“This fire also illustrates the need for local planning authorities to consider carefully all the recommendations outlined in the Ben Cave Health Impact Study of 2015 and Council must ensure that any future planning applications for proposed industry in this area are looked at closely with ‘cumulative impact’ in mind; given the already extremely high levels of industry that exists and the adverse impact that this is having on the local community.”

Mr Hughes said that this area the second highest industrialised area on all of the North of Ireland.

Sinn Féin Councillor for the area Paul Fleming, speaking from the scene on Wednesday, concurred: “There was concern in the local community here at the scale of this fire and if it could spread.

“Thankfully the wind direction kept the large plumes of smoke away from local homes along with the efforts of the Fire Service.”

Colr. Fleming added: “I would like to pay tribute to the Fire Service for the work they carried here in preventing it from spreading.”

Enagh Youth Forum have also thanked the NI Fire Service who sent 12 appliances and 46 firefighters to the scene, including a high reach aerial appliances and a command support vehicle.

The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service confirmed that squads from Crescent Link and two from Northland Road fire stations were first on the scene.

A spokesperson for Foyle Port meanwhile said at the time: “We are aware of an incident that has taken place in one of the sheds on the Foyle Port site and are carrying out all appropriate procedures. The emergency services are now at the Port and dealing with the incident.”