Menu
20/02/2009
Fire Guts Warehouse
Parts of south Belfast came to a standstill last night as a large fire almost destroyed a warehouse in the university area.
Fire crews battled the blaze (pictures here by Adam McCalden) which badly damaged the building in Essex Street, just off University Street. The building is close to a bar but fire-fighters managed to stop the blaze from spreading and no-one has been hurt.
The alert began at around 5.15pm when local mechanics from a neighbouring building, ICM brake specialists, noticed smoke coming from the warehouse building.
It took six fire engines and three fire officer cars to get the blaze under control and University Avenue was also closed to traffic and the public.
Traffic was disrupted when the street was blocked off, with tailbacks stretching along the Ormeau Road for some time.
Mechanic Patrick McBride told the Belfast Telegraph: "Just after five we saw smoke outside and realised that it was coming from the building next door.
"We kicked the door in and saw that it was huge. The whole stairway in the building and most of the ground floor was covered.
"Our boss then rang the Fire Brigade and we got out the way."
Daniel Park, Manager of ICM, added: "The building is right beside us with just a partition wall. We wondered what was wrong when our lights flickered and then smoke began bellowing out of the building," he said.
Last night, traffic was disrupted when the street was blocked off, with tailbacks stretching along the Ormeau Road for some time.
Traffic has now returned to normal.
(BMcC/JM)
Fire crews battled the blaze (pictures here by Adam McCalden) which badly damaged the building in Essex Street, just off University Street. The building is close to a bar but fire-fighters managed to stop the blaze from spreading and no-one has been hurt.
The alert began at around 5.15pm when local mechanics from a neighbouring building, ICM brake specialists, noticed smoke coming from the warehouse building.
It took six fire engines and three fire officer cars to get the blaze under control and University Avenue was also closed to traffic and the public.
Traffic was disrupted when the street was blocked off, with tailbacks stretching along the Ormeau Road for some time.
Mechanic Patrick McBride told the Belfast Telegraph: "Just after five we saw smoke outside and realised that it was coming from the building next door.
"We kicked the door in and saw that it was huge. The whole stairway in the building and most of the ground floor was covered.
"Our boss then rang the Fire Brigade and we got out the way."
Daniel Park, Manager of ICM, added: "The building is right beside us with just a partition wall. We wondered what was wrong when our lights flickered and then smoke began bellowing out of the building," he said.
Last night, traffic was disrupted when the street was blocked off, with tailbacks stretching along the Ormeau Road for some time.
Traffic has now returned to normal.
(BMcC/JM)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
21 March 2023
Vital Lifesaving Equipment Stolen From Newtownstewart Fire Station
Vital lifesaving equipment has been stolen from from Newtownstewart Fire Station in Co Tyrone. David Nichol, Western Area Commander, Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) confirmed that several pieces of equipment – critical to operational response to road traffic collisions – were stolen during a break-in between 10.15pm and 10.
Vital Lifesaving Equipment Stolen From Newtownstewart Fire Station
Vital lifesaving equipment has been stolen from from Newtownstewart Fire Station in Co Tyrone. David Nichol, Western Area Commander, Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) confirmed that several pieces of equipment – critical to operational response to road traffic collisions – were stolen during a break-in between 10.15pm and 10.
30 September 2002
Baby girl dies in road traffic accident
A child has been killed in a road traffic accident in Enniskillen. The baby girl, from the Republic of Ireland, was in a car with her two brothers, her childminder and her childminder's daughter, when it collided with a fire engine. The incident happened at around 11.20 am on the Derrylin Road in the town.
Baby girl dies in road traffic accident
A child has been killed in a road traffic accident in Enniskillen. The baby girl, from the Republic of Ireland, was in a car with her two brothers, her childminder and her childminder's daughter, when it collided with a fire engine. The incident happened at around 11.20 am on the Derrylin Road in the town.
05 September 2019
Smoke Warning As NIFRS Battle Belfast Blaze
Forty firefighters are tackling a fire at a commercial premises on the Woodvale Road in north Belfast. Three buildings have been gutted in the blaze that was first reported at around 05.30 on Thursday morning, 05 September. Police are at the scene and have warned motorists to be aware of poor visibility in the area due to the amount of smoke.
Smoke Warning As NIFRS Battle Belfast Blaze
Forty firefighters are tackling a fire at a commercial premises on the Woodvale Road in north Belfast. Three buildings have been gutted in the blaze that was first reported at around 05.30 on Thursday morning, 05 September. Police are at the scene and have warned motorists to be aware of poor visibility in the area due to the amount of smoke.
17 July 2001
ASSEMBLY CREATE AWARD TO HONOUR FIRE SERVICE
THE Northern Ireland Fire Service is to receive the first ever award given by the province's devolved assembly. An illuminated scroll is to be presented to Chief Fire Officer John McClelland on Tuesday, by assembly speaker Lord Alderdice in tribute to the sacrifice made by fire fighters over the years.
ASSEMBLY CREATE AWARD TO HONOUR FIRE SERVICE
THE Northern Ireland Fire Service is to receive the first ever award given by the province's devolved assembly. An illuminated scroll is to be presented to Chief Fire Officer John McClelland on Tuesday, by assembly speaker Lord Alderdice in tribute to the sacrifice made by fire fighters over the years.
01 October 2024
NIFRS Launches Online Home Fire Safety Check Tool
The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) has introduced a new online tool to help residents assess their home fire safety. The Home Fire Safety Check coincides with Fire Safety Week, which runs from September 30th to October 6th. The initiative aims to reduce the number of house fires in Northern Ireland.
NIFRS Launches Online Home Fire Safety Check Tool
The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) has introduced a new online tool to help residents assess their home fire safety. The Home Fire Safety Check coincides with Fire Safety Week, which runs from September 30th to October 6th. The initiative aims to reduce the number of house fires in Northern Ireland.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.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.
