Fire in County Durham may take weeks to extinguish

Residents have been advised of the risks of smoke inhalation

A fire at a County Durham tyre factory which began earlier this month could take weeks to extinguish, officials have said.

Thousands of tonnes of rubber caught fire on 21 April at the Littleburn Industrial Estate near Langley Moor.

Firefighters said they were allowing the fire to burn out rather than using water, a method said to be less harmful to the environment.

Leaflets informing residents about the fire are being delivered.

The leaflets give advice and information and aim to reassure the public that all agencies are working together to tackle the fire in the most appropriate and safest way.

The blaze, which started at Envirotyres, was brought under control last week.

'Cleaner approach'

Due to high levels of heat and the large volume of rubber, the fire service said it could take "some weeks" to fully extinguish.

Fire agencies decided the best course of action was to allow the fire to burn itself out, a "cleaner" approach that means lesser and lighter smoke affecting the surrounding area and atmosphere.

The Health Protection Agency said while there was little chance of long-term health effects, anyone with respiratory conditions such as bronchitis and asthma should limit time spent outside in smoke-affected areas.

They should also ensure they had any inhalers or other medication they use with them.

An investigation into how the fire started will start once it is fully extinguished.