Fire crews tame Rotterdam waste plant blaze

A fire broke out Friday night at a recycling plant near the port of Rotterdam, spewing thick smoke across the area before being brought under control in an all-night operation, authorities said.

The blaze prompted a large-scale emergency response involving fire units, a fireboat from the port and a drone used to identify hotspots, according to the public safety information service for the Rotterdam-Rijnmond region.

Traffic was cut on several key roads and via the Maastunnel linking the Dutch city's northern and southern districts, although the restrictions were being gradually lifted after the fire was wrestled under control early Saturday.

The flames engulfed an estimated 50 to 100 tonnes of household and commercial waste, sending a foul-smelling smoke plume across the area. Residents were advised to stay indoors, close windows and doors and switch off ventilation systems.

Those warnings were lifted by Saturday morning, but firefighters remained at the site extinguishing residual hotspots and separating out debris.