US Tyre Fire “Could Burn For Months”

An illegal tyre dump, covering 145 acres and containing an estimated four million tyres, caught fire over the weekend near the city of Roanoke, Virginia. 50 people left their homes, but returned later when the wind changed direction. The cause of the blaze is not known.

Governor Mark Warner declared a state of emergency on Sunday, which means that the county can use state resources. Such fires are usually left to burn themselves out, as water run-off could contain toxic chemicals. Officials said the fire “could burn for months”.