Published: Wednesday, 1st July, 2009 5:07pm

AIRPORT WAS SET TO CLOSE AS BLAZE SPREAD

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GLASGOW Airport was set to close its doors after a major blaze in Renfrew obstructed flight paths.

More than 4,500 holidaymakers could have been asked to turn around after a crisis meeting was called with BAA staff.

Billows of thick black smoke from a scrap yard fire on Meadowside Street caused slight delays to air traffic but luckily did not spark the closure of the airport.

Crews from Renfrew and Paisley battled through the night to extinguish the huge blaze which was still being put out on Monday, with 14 pumps and 70 firefighters at the scene.

Local residents reported hearing loud bangs and explosions before the yard - at the site of the former Lobnitz Dock - went up in flames.

A dad-of-two who lives in the town"s Elm Avenue said: 'I heard bangs just as I was shutting up the house for the night, and then the sound of the fire engines" sirens.

'We have been told to keep our windows and doors shut to try and prevent the smell of smoke from coming in.'

Clouds of non-toxic smoke could be seen from as far away as Glasgow Central station and police helicopters were deployed to identify "hot spots" and take arial photographs.

Two high-volume pumps were brought from Falkirk to pump thousands of gallons of water from the Clyde to help put out the category three fire.

Cops did not have to evacuate the surrounding area, as the nearest residential property was 800 metres away.

Fortunately a north-easterly wind at the time the fire was reported helped to guide smoke away from the town.

But this is not the first time firefighters have been called to the site; in July last year the Gazette reported how a mountain of twisted metal was set ablaze, causing thousands of pounds worth of firefighting resources.

The blaze at the industrial building, containing £2 million pounds worth of equipment is being treated by police as wilful fire raising.

A Strathclyde Fire and Rescue spokesperson said: 'Due to the size and severity, additional resources were requested to help with the fire.

'At its height, there were more than 70 firefighters and 14 tenders at the scene.'