Firefighters will be battling an industrial rubbish fire in Newhaven for the fourth day running today4.

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service has been fighting the blaze, where up to 200 tonnes of industrial rubbish is burning, since Friday.

The service said today (Monday) it was preparing itself for another full-day of work at the site in North Quay Road. The fire is still "well alight", a spokeswoman said.

Des Prichard, chief fire officer, said thousands of liters of water was being poured on the fire each hour.

He said: "We're here for a fourth day now and have been present 24 hours a day with rotating crews. We've been supported by neighbouring services in West Sussex and Surrey and we have a high-volume pump that's pumping from the river Ouse, so there is plenty of water."

A service spokeswoman said it was still unclear when the fire would be put out.

She said: "As with many incidents of this nature, it is taking considerable time to deal with the fire due the large volume of waste material involved.

"Crews are working hard to minimise flare ups which would cause further smoke in the area, and to minimise any potential for water to cause pollution.

"A further update is expected after 9am today (Monday) but it is predicted that crews will remain on site all day, supported by a number of other agencies."

A Public Health England spokesman said any smoke could be an irritant. They added: “Residents in areas affected by the smoke should stay indoors and keep their doors and windows closed.  Any smoke can be an irritant and as such, if people need to be outdoors, they are advised to avoid outside areas affected by any smoke or ash, or to limit the time that they spend in them.

“Motorists who have to travel through the smoke should keep windows closed, turn off air conditioning and keep their air vents closed.

“Some of the substances present in smoke can irritate the lining of the air passages, the skin and the eyes. Respiratory symptoms include coughing and wheezing, breathlessness, sputum (phlegm) production and chest pain. If symptoms occur, people should seek medical advice or call NHS 111. 
Smoke can worsen existing health problems like asthma."