By David Hunter
Over 50 firefighters have dealt with an overnight blaze at an apartment block in Belfast City Centre.
80 residents had to be evacuated over six floors from the building on Great Victoria Street.
The fire was reported shortly after 2am, and the operation has now concluded.
Two patients were taken to hospital by the ambulance service for treatment of smoke inhalation.
The cause of the blaze is still under investigation.
A Fire & Rescue Service Spokesperson said: “We received a call at 02.10am this morning to attend a fire in 97 Great Victoria Street, Belfast.
In total 8 Fire Appliances and 55 Firefighters from Central, Cadogan, Springfield, Westland, and Lisburn were involved in tackling the blaze that started on the first floor.
Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus extinguished the fire using firefighting jets and searched the 6 floor premises.
"All 80 occupants were safely evacuated following extensive smoke spread.
"NIFRS worked alongside Northern Ireland Ambulance Service and Belfast City Council to relocate occupants to nearby community centre until the incident was dealt with."
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