Inferno rips through scrapyard

Jun 29 2009 Paisley Daily Express

FIREFIGHTERS were last night winning their battle to bring a massive blaze at a scrapyard under control.

The inferno at Christie’s Scrapyard in Renfrew erupted in the early hours of Saturday morning, sending flames leaping hundreds of feet into the air.

And the emergency services are expected to remain at the scene throughout today as they continue to fight the fire.

At the height of the inferno, there were more than 70 firefighters and 14 fire engines at the scene.

Huge clouds of smoke filled the sky above Renfrew and billowed down the River Clyde to the centre of Glasgow, more than 10 miles away.

Police helicopters were scrambled in a bid to identify hot-spots and relay the information back to a command centre at the scene.

Families living nearby were advised to keep their windows and doors shut and there was also disruption to flights at Glasgow Airport.

Last night, the cause of the blaze was still being investigated.

Group Commander Andy McCafferty, of Strathclyde Fire & Rescue, said: “It is a very deep-seated fire which is going to take a considerable time to extinguish.”

FULL STORY: PAGE FIVE