An underground fire is raging at a controversial landfill in Co Kildare.
The authorities - the Environment Protection Agency and the Fire Brigade - have admitted they do not know how to deal with the blaze, at Kerdiffstown Landfill, just outside Naas.
The fire has been burning for more than a week, and the HSE has been called in to monitor air quality polluted by the toxic smoke.
The EPA has retained the services of international experts in assessment of landfill fires, who are on site today.
Joe Friel, spokesperson for lobby organisation the Clean Air Naas Group asked: "Where's the emergency plan? At what point do they advise people in the area to move out of their houses?"
Kildare County Council spokesperson Charlie Talbot said evacuation of surrounding homes has not been completely ruled out, should the situation become more grave.