NewsUK NewsEmergencyLIVE EVENT ENDEDLast updated 3rd September 2026Fire crews tackled a blaze involving around 4,500 tonnes of scrap cars that broke out at Belfast Harbour shortly after midday on WednesdayThe blaze involved around 4,500 tonnes of scrap cars at a metal recycling facility in Belfast Harbour(Image: X/NI Emergency Response Vids)Updated 18:00, 03 Sep 2026More than 50 firefighters worked through the night to bring a blaze at a scrap metal recycling facility in Belfast Harbour under control.The blaze at the Clearway Disposals site on East Twin Road, in the shipyard area of the harbour estate, was reported at 12.14pm on Wednesday. On Thursday morning, Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service said crews remained at the scene of a "well-developed fire" involving around 4,500 tonnes of scrap cars.A large plume of smoke spread across parts of east Belfast, including Victoria Park, Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Gavin Robinson said.Belfast Harbour says it handles more than 70 per cent of Northern Ireland's seaborne imports and exports, and around 25 per cent of the island of Ireland's sea trade.View PostView PostView PostView Post2nd Sep15:09 BSTA fire broke out at the same recycling site in MayToday's blaze comes after a fire broke out at the same Clearway Disposals site on East Twin Road in May.Around 75 firefighters tackled that blaze at its peak, Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service previously said.At the time, DUP assembly member David Brooks told BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster programme that it was the second fire at the site in five years.2nd Sep14:13 BSTBoats are being used to help tackle the fireVideos from the scene show boats being used to help tackle the fire at the scrap metal recycling facility on East Twin Road, Belfast Live reports.Emergency services, including firefighters and police, remain at the scene.Content cannot be displayed without consent2nd Sep13:59 BSTFire is at Clearway Disposals siteIn a statement, Belfast Harbour Police said: "We are working closely with Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, and staff of Clearway Disposals, following the outbreak of a fire at its scrap metal recycling facility in the Harbour Estate."We would advise local residents and surrounding businesses to keep windows and doors closed, as a precautionary measure and for people to avoid the area."2nd Sep13:53 BSTVideo: Thick smoke billows over Belfast Harbour as fire crews tackle blazeVideos taken by Belfast Live reporter Connor Lynch show thick smoke billowing over the Belfast Harbour estate.Content cannot be displayed without consent2nd Sep13:44 BSTA number of cars are on fire, says fire serviceNorthern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service said on social media that "a quantity of cars are on fire" on East Twin Road.The fire is understood to be at a scrap metal recycling site.Content cannot be displayed without consent2nd Sep13:30 BST'A large plume of smoke is affecting parts of inner east Belfast' - DUP leaderGavin Robinson, leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), said in a post on Facebook: "A scrap metal recycling facility is currently on fire in the Harbour Estate. Belfast Harbour Police are currently assisting NIFRS and PSNI."A large plume of smoke is affecting parts of Inner East Belfast, including Victoria Park. Two fire appliances are currently at the scene of another fire at Clearway."Belfast Harbour Police are supporting the response and tugs have also been deployed. Residents in the surrounding area should keep windows and doors closed as a precaution if affected by smoke."Please avoid the immediate area and allow the emergency services to carry out their work safely. I’ll share any further confirmed updates when available."2nd Sep13:26 BSTFire service statementIn a statement, Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service said: "We are currently in attendance at an incident on East Twin Road, Shipyard, Belfast, where a quantity of cars are on fire. The initial call was received at 12.14pm today (Wednesday 2 September 2026)."It said one fire appliance each from Central, Knock, Cadogan, Westland and Carrickfergus fire stations are currently at the scene, along with a high-volume pump from Whitla, an aerial appliance from Springfield and a command support unit from Kilrea Fire Station."We would ask for the public to avoid the area whilst we deal with the fire," the fire service added.2nd Sep13:23 BSTMajor blaze at Belfast HarbourCrews from Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service are tackling a major blaze in the harbour area of Belfast this afternoon.‌