Fire crews battle large blaze in Portrush

By Hannah Spratt

Fire crews are tackling a large blaze at an unoccupied building in Portrush.

52 firefighters were called to the scene at Bath Terrace before 9 last night.

At one stage, 8 fire engines were on site to try and bring the blaze under control.

It's thought it may take a few more hours working at the scene, until the fire is fully extinguished.

A Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service spokesperson said: "At 8.51pm on April 16, Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service received a call to a fire in an unoccupied end-terraced property at Bath Terrace, Portrush.

"On arrival at the incident, initial crews from Portrush Fire Station were confronted by a well-developed fire in the property and were quickly supported by crews from Coleraine, Portstewart, Ballymoney, Ballycastle, Ballymena, Northland and Strabane fire stations.

"There are currently eight fire appliances, one high reach aerial appliance and a specialist Command support Unit, with a total of 52 firefighters on the fire ground and extensive firefighting operations are still ongoing.

"NIFRS are working with our partner agencies at the scene to resolve this incident. Whilst the fire is under control, crews will be working for a number of hours at the scene to fully extinguish the fire

It's now thought the blaze may have been started deliberately.

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