A significant fire broke out at a commercial premises on Belfast’s Limestone Road early Saturday morning, prompting a massive emergency response from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service.
The blaze, which was first reported at 2:26 AM on Saturday, March 15, required the deployment of 60 firefighters who worked through the night to bring the situation under control. Fire crews from multiple stations across the city responded to the incident, including Whitla, Cadogan, Knock, Lisburn, and Westland.
At the height of the emergency, nine fire appliances were on scene, supported by specialized equipment including an aerial ladder appliance, a command support unit, and a specialist rescue team. Firefighters utilized breathing apparatus, firefighting jets, and foam jets in their efforts to combat the flames.
“We have now scaled back our operations with four appliances and two officers to remain at this location for a number of hours,” a spokesperson for the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service said later Saturday morning, indicating that the most intense phase of the incident had passed.
Throughout the emergency, the regional control centre maintained support while ensuring that adequate resources remained available to respond to other potential emergencies across the Belfast area.
According to The Breaking News, fire investigators have yet to determine the cause of the blaze. No injuries have been reported at this time, and authorities continue to monitor the situation as cleanup and investigation efforts begin.
Local residents who were evacuated or affected by smoke are advised to follow guidance from emergency services regarding when it might be safe to return to their properties.