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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/aug/28/major-fire-breaks-out-primark-store-belfast-city-centre
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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Major fire breaks out at Primark store in Belfast city centre | Major fire breaks out at Primark store in Belfast city centre |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Fire crews in Northern Ireland are battling a large blaze at a Primark outlet that has sent thick plumes over Belfast city centre. | Fire crews in Northern Ireland are battling a large blaze at a Primark outlet that has sent thick plumes over Belfast city centre. |
| At least 11 fire engines responded on Tuesday morning when a fire broke out on the fifth floor of the Bank Buildings on Castle Street, prompting evacuations of shoppers from the clothing and hardware chain and warnings to avoid the area. | At least 11 fire engines responded on Tuesday morning when a fire broke out on the fifth floor of the Bank Buildings on Castle Street, prompting evacuations of shoppers from the clothing and hardware chain and warnings to avoid the area. |
| Police cordoned off the area as crowds gathered to watch flames and smoke billow from the 233-year-old building. | Police cordoned off the area as crowds gathered to watch flames and smoke billow from the 233-year-old building. |
| The Bank Buildings, designed by Sir Robert Taylor and erected by Waddell Cunningham in 1785, have been undergoing refurbishment. | The Bank Buildings, designed by Sir Robert Taylor and erected by Waddell Cunningham in 1785, have been undergoing refurbishment. |
| Social media posts showed dramatic images of flames had appeared to engulf the roof. | Social media posts showed dramatic images of flames had appeared to engulf the roof. |
| A spokeswoman for the Northern Ireland fire service said: “NIFRS received a call at 11am today to a fire on the top floor of the Primark building – a five-storey commercial property in the Castle Street area of Belfast. Eleven appliances are in attendance. The building has been evacuated. The public are advised to avoid the Castle Street/Royal Avenue area whilst the incident is ongoing.” | |
| The Police Service of Northern Ireland also issued a warning to motorists to avoid the area. A number of diversions are in place at Bridge Street, High Street, Castle Street and Queen’s Street as well as Royal Avenue and North Street to allow the fire service to deal with the ongoing incident. | |
| Police have advised drivers to seek an alternative route. There were no initial reports of injuries, but that has yet to be confirmed by the authorities. | Police have advised drivers to seek an alternative route. There were no initial reports of injuries, but that has yet to be confirmed by the authorities. |
| One witness said he spotted smoke coming from the roof of the building and alerted the security guards inside the store. The man, who asked to remain anonymous, said it appeared that the security guards were not aware of the fire. | One witness said he spotted smoke coming from the roof of the building and alerted the security guards inside the store. The man, who asked to remain anonymous, said it appeared that the security guards were not aware of the fire. |
| A spokesman for Primark said that the fire alarm did activate. In a statement, he said: “Our Belfast store on Castle Street was safely evacuated this morning following a fire on the roof. Fire services are attending the scene and working to extinguish the fire.” | |
| Customers described smelling smoke inside the store before being told by staff to leave the building. Loud bangs could be heard coming from the fire while large pieces of debris were seen falling from the building. | Customers described smelling smoke inside the store before being told by staff to leave the building. Loud bangs could be heard coming from the fire while large pieces of debris were seen falling from the building. |
| The fire service said the incident was likely to continue throughout the rest of the day. | |
| SDLP councillor Tim Attwood said the scenes at the historic building were “devastating” and “extremely worrying”. “The iconic building that is home to Primark, which has been undergoing refurbishment work, is being threatened by a fire,” he said. | |
| “My thoughts are with the staff and the emergency services who are battling to control the flames.” | |
| Joan McCoy, president of the Royal Society of Ulster Architects, said the fire was a sad day for Belfast. “Thankfully, there are no reports of any injuries arising from this major fire but it is a sad day for Belfast. Buildings like these help give Belfast its unique identity and character. The Bank Building is a very important part of the city’s architectural heritage and is loved by many,” she said. | |
| “This building has survived bombs and fire before. We can only hope that the damage is not too severe and that the building can be saved.” | “This building has survived bombs and fire before. We can only hope that the damage is not too severe and that the building can be saved.” |
| Belfast | Belfast |
| Northern Ireland | Northern Ireland |
| Primark | Primark |
| news | news |
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