Dozens of firefighters tackled a blaze at Pembroke dump that burned for five hours yesterday afternoon.

The fire is believed to have begun when a spark flew off a welding machine being used by workers to fix a chipping machine, and ignited a pile of horticultural waste.

At its peak, 26 firefighters including some who were called off of rest days were on the scene, and a large pall of smoke drifted across Hamilton city.

The incident was first reported at 1.49 p.m., with six firefighters initially sent to the scene at Marsh Folly.

By 3 p.m., Lt. Dana Lovell of the Bermuda Fire Service reported that an area of waste measuring around 50 by 40 feet was ablaze.

He told The Royal Gazette that Works and Engineering employees were working with firefighters to extinguish it quickly.

"It's what we classify as a deep-seated fire," he explained at the time. "We have three hoselines working on it (although) the fire is not just a simple matter of spraying it.

"It is burning all the way through — from the top to the bottom.

"We are working together with Works and Engineering to break the piles of waste up into smaller piles and then wet them."

The fire eventually grew to affect a pile of waste measuring around 15 feet high, and 100 feet by 50 feet.

By that point, seven fire engines, three support vehicles and 26 firefighters were present at the scene.

According to Lt. Wenda Roberts of the fire service, their work was done by 6.45 p.m after a "time consuming" effort requiring a significant amount of water to ensure there was no danger of the blaze re-igniting.

"We had to call in extra crews from all over. Some of them were on rota days off," she said.

A major blaze at the dump, affecting an area the size of a football pitch, burned for a week in March 2007.

The smoke badly affected local businesses and residents, and led to a warning that people should check their water tanks for pollution although Government later said no problems were found.

Works and Engineering Minister Dennis Lister said after that blaze that "perhaps" the pile of horticultural waste at the site should not have been allowed to get so high.

And he pledged: "We have learned from this experience. We have made the necessary changes.

"We can't control Mother Nature, nor will we try, but we will do all that we can so that we do not tempt her."

A Government spokesman said last night that a full investigation into the cause of the latest fire is pending.

He said it is expected that the Marsh Folly facility will be open to receive horticultural waste today but added: "The public is advised that vehicles arriving at the site may be directed to a new location in order to discharge their loads.

"For safety reasons, no unauthorised traffic will be allowed to access the fire area. The Ministry of Works and Engineering regrets any inconvenience resulting from this incident."