Garda team examines scene after blaze at recycling plant threatens 20 jobs

UP TO 20 jobs are under threat after a fire gutted a recycling plant in north Co Longford.

Firefighters from local towns battled the blaze in Mulleady’s Waste Recycling in Drumlish, which broke out in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Garda forensic officers were examining the scene yesterday and assessing whether or not the fire was accidental.

Last January, another fire broke out on the premises and staff had to be laid off for several months.

Owner Anthony Mulleady said that local waste collection operations would not be affected by the fire.

Waste sorting equipment was totally destroyed in the blaze, he said.

Management was due to meet staff yesterday to discuss employment at the plant.

Mr Mulleady said: “It’s a very stressful situation coming up to Christmas. There is very extensive damage done.”

He said he believed it was unusual if the fire had started outside because of recent heavy rainfall.

A local fire officer said it was too early to establish how the fire started.

“Once it took hold, it spread rapidly because of the material involved,” he said.

“At this stage it appears it could have started outside because the vehicles adjacent to the building were burned.”

He said that it was too early to say if the fire was suspicious.

“Garda forensics are on their way to carry out an examination of the scene and will make an assessment of that.”