the receiving area of the Tynes Bay incinerator.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Works and Engineering said the shut-down was caused by thick smoke filling the hall.

But the spokesman added the dumping area would be open longer today -- from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. -- to make up for yesterday's disruption.

The rest of the incinerator is still operating and power is being generated.

The fire also meant normal Friday garbage collection was suspended. But the Ministry said that any garbage not collected yesterday will be collected today.

Fire crews were called to the trash-burning plant just after 2 a.m. when smoke started pouring from the 40-foot deep hopper.

Fire crews damped down the rubbish, but the smouldering blaze broke out again later and yesterday incinerator workers were lifting trash out of the hopper to allow firemen to get to the seat of the blaze and damp it down. Last night, the fire was continuing to smoulder.