Scrap tires still burning; toxic fumes reduced

A fire at a stockyard for scrap tires in Tušimice, northwest Bohemia, continued to burn for a third day on Sunday although it was contained and under control. The amount of toxic fumes is also reported to have dropped significantly. At the height of the blaze 23 fire brigades fought the flames while emergency crews temporarily evacuated 200 people from their homes. Two firemen were injured in the emergency operation. The cause of the accident is being investigated. Preliminary reports suggest that poor storage conditions may have been partly to blame.