48 fire-fighters tackled blaze at Inishowen recycling plant

Fire crews from Buncrana, Carndonagh, Moville and Letterkenny were all mobilised to the scene of the blaze at the recycling plant at Druminor in the Buncrana area.

The incident at a recycling storage facility occurred last Thursday with another smaller re-ignition at the site on Friday.

Residents in the vicinity were advised to keep windows closed as a result.

Providing details of the operation, a Donegal County Council spokesperson confirmed to the Journal:

“At 12:34am on Buncrana Fire Brigade were alerted to a Fire at a recycling premises at Druminor, Buncrana. They initialled responded with two fire appliances.

“Further fire brigades attended from Carndonagh, Moville and Letterkenny. Additional specialist vehicles were mobilised including a High reach Platform, an Incident Command Vehicle, and a Water Tanker.”

Other specialist equipment was sourced from the local area, the Council confirmed, stating:

“A number of excavators were obtained from local contractors that were equipped with specialist rotating grapples in association with highly experience and proficient excavator operators.

The spokesperson added: "46 personnel from Donegal County Fire Service attended the Incident.

"The Incident occurred in an existing commercial building that was used to recycle building and domestic waste.

"Throughout the incident, the Fire Service were advised and supported by the Environment Section of Donegal County Council.

"The fire was extinguished at 9pm on 27/10/22. Subsequently at 5:14am on 28/10/22 Buncrana Fire Brigade returned to a small area of the waste material re-ignited, the fire was brought under control quickly.

"Thermal imaging cameras were used to pinpoint any heated material."

Donegal County Council confirmed that Buncrana Fire Brigade stayed in attendance until 3pm on Friday.

In a statement issued to residents in the wider area during the incident, a spokesperson for Donegal County Council and the fire service said: “Donegal Fire Service wish to advise that following a fire in Druminor, Buncrana, residents in the area are advised to keep windows and doors closed until smoke plume disseminates.”