Fire crews rushed to tackle a burning pile of horticultural waste at the Marsh Folly dump which send up smoke which could be seen across the Island this morning.

The blaze became evident shortly after nine a.m. but could take all day to put out.

Around 15 firefighters and four vehicles were on the scene by mid-morning and spraying water down on the towering stack.

Fires at the dump are not uncommon as the heat rises during the decomposing process but they are normally smaller and put out quickly.

The blaze appeared to be coming out of the centre of the mound. However one source at the scene said the pile, about 25 metres high, was higher than normal after two milling machines broke down.

The heap may have to be taken apart to quell the blaze. Fire crews will use water drawn from a brackish pond on site.

To see more pictures go to Spotted on the Rock on The Royal Gazette website, www.theroyalgazette.com.