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Exclusion zone set up after fire Drivers warned of M2 disruption
(about 6 hours later)
A 200m exclusion zone has been put in place around a mechanical engineering works on the outskirts of Belfast following an overnight fire. A 200m exclusion zone set up near the M2 motorway around gas cylinders at risk of exploding after a fire is to stay in place until midnight.
Firefighters said the presence of gas cylinders on the site in Newtownabbey meant the area would be cordoned off until 2300 GMT on Friday. Eight lorries were badly damaged in a fire at Mallusk Industrial Estate on Thursday evening.
Motorists have been warned to expect serious traffic disruption in the area around Mallusk Industrial Estate.
Eight lorries have been badly damaged in the fire.
The Fire and Rescue Service was called to the yard to tackle the blaze at about 2230 GMT on Thursday.The Fire and Rescue Service was called to the yard to tackle the blaze at about 2230 GMT on Thursday.
Motorists have been warned to expect significant traffic disruption and allow extra time for their journeys.
The cause of the fire is being investigated.The cause of the fire is being investigated.
The area is close to the busy Sandyknowes roundabout and a number of the roads in the vicinity have been closed, including: The area is close to the busy Sandyknowes roundabout and the country-bound off-slip from the M2 and Scullion's Road will remain closed until midnight.
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  • The M2 countrybound off-slip at Sandyknowes
  • The Antrim Road between Sandyknowes and Templepatrick
  • Scullions Road
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  • Drivers intending to use the M2 country-bound to access the A8(M) are advised to leave the motorway at either the Fortwilliam or Greencastle junctions or to use an alternative route
  • Drivers planning to use the M2 country-bound to access the Mallusk area are advised to use the Antrim Road and Hightown Road or another alternative route.
However, the M2 off-slip towards Belfast is open. The main carriageways on the M2 motorway, both city-bound and country-bound, remain open for traffic.
Motorists who have been affected by the closures have been asked to take an alternative route and leave extra time for their journey.