11/05/2007

Two men rescued from Belfast fire

Two men, aged in their 20s have been rescued from a blaze at a house in north Belfast.

The fire started at around 6:00am this morning at an adjoining office complex at Oceanic Avenue. It also spread to an oil tank and van.

Both men were rescued from the burning building by firefighters wearing breathing apparatus. Neither was injured.

Traffic disruption was caused and police were called to the scene.

Fire Service Assistant Group Commander Gary Thompson described the blaze as 'suspicious'.

“If it had not been for the quick action of the three firefighters who rescued the two men then it would have been a different outcome,” he said.

“What concerns us is that the smoke alarms in the residential area were not working and they were asleep but unhurt.”

A total of 34 firefighters and eight appliances were used and at one stage the fire, fuelled by the oil tank, was twice the height of nearby houses.

(JM/SP)

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