Blaze at derelict hospital building in Downpatrick deliberate

By Q Radio news

A fire at the old Downe Hospital in Downpatrick last night is believed to have been started deliberately.

Emergency servcies were called to the derelict building on the Ardglass Road after 7.30pm last night. 

The site has been vacant since 2009 and has been targeted multiple times over the years. 

9 fire appliances were dispatched from Downpatrick, Knock, Ballynahinch and Newcastle. 

No-one was injured during the incident. 

A spokesperson for the NIFRS said "the incident was dealt with by 12.20am on Wednesday 10 February and the cause of the fire is believed to have been deliberate ignition." 

Meanwhile, a PSNI spokesperson said a number of rooms in the property have been damaged as a result. 

Inspector Weatheraid said, "Enquiries are continuing and at this stage, the fire is being treated as deliberate.

“We would appeal to anyone who witnessed anything suspicious in the area at the time of the incident, to contact police on 101 quoting reference number 1750 09/02/21."

Meanwhile, MP for the area Chris Hazzard says the local community is angry to the old Down Hospital targeted once again.

The South Down MP said:

“The community were angered to see the Old Downe Hospital ablaze once again tonight.

“I commend the Fire and Rescue Services for their efforts to tackle the blaze.

“The emergency services are under pressure at this time and do not need this type of incident.

“I would encourage anyone with information on how this blaze started to come forward to the PSNI.” 

(Firefighters tackle a blaze at the old Downe hospital in Downpatrick last night)