Menu
05/06/2006
Investigation into Newcastle fire
An investigation is underway to establish the cause of a fire at a storage building at the rear of a shop, attached to a filling station in County Down.
A number of fire appliances and over 50 fire-fighters were called in to tackle the blaze at the Barbican Centre in the Dundrum Road area of Newcastle, which is thought to have started at around 12pm on Sunday.
It is understood that it took around two hours for crews to extinguish the fire.
No one was hurt during the incident, however local residents were instructed to keep all doors and window closed after the presence of asbestos was identified in the burning building.
Station Commander Neil McGrath said that the asbestos hazard made conditions more difficult for fire crews.
He said: "As we were extinguishing the fire before it could spread into the shopping premises we identified the presence of asbestos tiles covering the premises.
"They were a risk to the crew involved. It was the asbestos which was the major problem and the people who were first on the scene needed to be decontaminated."
However, Mr McGrath added that there was never any risk of the flames reaching the petrol tankers.
It is not yet known how the fire started and an investigation is being carried out.
Meanwhile, two women have been rescued after a fire broke out in the kitchen of their home in north Belfast in the early hours of Sunday morning.
It is understood that a neighbour heard the smoke alarm and helped the two women to escape from the burning property in Roselee Street, off the Oldpark Road.
No one was injured during the incident, however the house sustained smoke and heat damage.
In a separate incident, police are treating as arson a blaze at a house in County Down.
No one was at home in the property on the Burren Road, Warrenpoint when the blaze started in the early hours of Sunday.
The first floor of the house was destroyed and the ground floor sustained smoke and water damage.
The motive for the attack is still being investigated.
(EF/SP)
A number of fire appliances and over 50 fire-fighters were called in to tackle the blaze at the Barbican Centre in the Dundrum Road area of Newcastle, which is thought to have started at around 12pm on Sunday.
It is understood that it took around two hours for crews to extinguish the fire.
No one was hurt during the incident, however local residents were instructed to keep all doors and window closed after the presence of asbestos was identified in the burning building.
Station Commander Neil McGrath said that the asbestos hazard made conditions more difficult for fire crews.
He said: "As we were extinguishing the fire before it could spread into the shopping premises we identified the presence of asbestos tiles covering the premises.
"They were a risk to the crew involved. It was the asbestos which was the major problem and the people who were first on the scene needed to be decontaminated."
However, Mr McGrath added that there was never any risk of the flames reaching the petrol tankers.
It is not yet known how the fire started and an investigation is being carried out.
Meanwhile, two women have been rescued after a fire broke out in the kitchen of their home in north Belfast in the early hours of Sunday morning.
It is understood that a neighbour heard the smoke alarm and helped the two women to escape from the burning property in Roselee Street, off the Oldpark Road.
No one was injured during the incident, however the house sustained smoke and heat damage.
In a separate incident, police are treating as arson a blaze at a house in County Down.
No one was at home in the property on the Burren Road, Warrenpoint when the blaze started in the early hours of Sunday.
The first floor of the house was destroyed and the ground floor sustained smoke and water damage.
The motive for the attack is still being investigated.
(EF/SP)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
18 November 2024
Road Safety Week Highlights Human Cost Of Road Accidents
The Department for Infrastructure (DfI), emergency services, and victim support groups have launched Road Safety Week 2024, highlighting the devastating impact of road traffic collisions. On average, one person loses their life on Northern Ireland's roads every week, with 57 fatalities recorded so far this year.
Road Safety Week Highlights Human Cost Of Road Accidents
The Department for Infrastructure (DfI), emergency services, and victim support groups have launched Road Safety Week 2024, highlighting the devastating impact of road traffic collisions. On average, one person loses their life on Northern Ireland's roads every week, with 57 fatalities recorded so far this year.
23 April 2004
Fire crews deal with separate fires in Co Antrim
Police are appealing for information following two suspicious fires in Co Antrim in the early hours of Friday morning. The first fire was discovered at a factory unit in north Belfast at around 12 midnight. It is believed the blaze started when paper inside the unit was set alight. Some windows and two other units were damaged in the fire.
Fire crews deal with separate fires in Co Antrim
Police are appealing for information following two suspicious fires in Co Antrim in the early hours of Friday morning. The first fire was discovered at a factory unit in north Belfast at around 12 midnight. It is believed the blaze started when paper inside the unit was set alight. Some windows and two other units were damaged in the fire.
20 November 2024
Hard-Hitting Road Safety Message Delivered To Young People
Over 800 young people from schools in Lisburn and Castlereagh attended a hard-hitting road safety message at the PSNI Road Safe Roadshow on 19 November. The roadshow, supported by AXA Insurance and the Northern Ireland Road Safety Partnership, aims to educate young drivers about the dangers of irresponsible driving.
Hard-Hitting Road Safety Message Delivered To Young People
Over 800 young people from schools in Lisburn and Castlereagh attended a hard-hitting road safety message at the PSNI Road Safe Roadshow on 19 November. The roadshow, supported by AXA Insurance and the Northern Ireland Road Safety Partnership, aims to educate young drivers about the dangers of irresponsible driving.
19 November 2024
Minister Announces Funding For Winter Road Maintenance
Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd has announced additional funding to improve road safety during the winter months and address waste-water infrastructure challenges.
Minister Announces Funding For Winter Road Maintenance
Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd has announced additional funding to improve road safety during the winter months and address waste-water infrastructure challenges.
18 November 2024
Pedestrian Dies Following Road Traffic Collision Ikn West Belfast
A female pedestrian in her 70s has tragically died following a road traffic collision in west Belfast on Saturday, 9th November. The incident occurred on Hannahstown Hill shortly after 6:50pm when two pedestrians were struck by a vehicle. Emergency services attended the scene, and the injured pedestrians were taken to hospital.
Pedestrian Dies Following Road Traffic Collision Ikn West Belfast
A female pedestrian in her 70s has tragically died following a road traffic collision in west Belfast on Saturday, 9th November. The incident occurred on Hannahstown Hill shortly after 6:50pm when two pedestrians were struck by a vehicle. Emergency services attended the scene, and the injured pedestrians were taken to hospital.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
