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Major fire breaks out at Primark store in Belfast city centre Fire destroys Primark store in Belfast city centre
(about 3 hours later)
Fire crews in Northern Ireland are battling a large blaze at a Primark outlet that has sent thick plumes over Belfast city centre. The flagship Primark store in Belfast has been destroyed in a fire that broke out on Tuesday morning.
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 to a call at 11am when a blaze broke out on the fifth floor of the store in the 233-year-old five-storey Bank Buildings on Castle Street.
Police cordoned off the area as crowds gathered to watch flames and smoke billow from the 233-year-old building. Flames could be seen across Belfast’s skyline and the historic clock at the top of the building was engulfed in flames before the fire spread from the roof to the floor below.
The Bank Buildings, designed by Sir Robert Taylor and erected by Waddell Cunningham in 1785, have been undergoing refurbishment. The store was undergoing a multimillion-pound refurbishment and a recruitment drive for more than 100 jobs had been launched last week.
Social media posts showed dramatic images of flames had appeared to engulf the roof. Police cordoned off the area as crowds gathered to watch flames and smoke billow from the building, which was designed by Sir Robert Taylor and erected by Waddell Cunningham in 1785.
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.” Primark’s chief executive, Paul Marchant, said he was deeply shocked and saddened, and reassured staff who worked in the building that he would ensure they were “fully supported”.
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. Michael Graham, assistant chief fire and rescue officer, said his crews had been battling the blaze for six hours.
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. Graham said: “It has been a long and arduous six hours for them but we will continue to fight the fire until we extinguish it. It is one of the biggest we have experienced in the last two to three years.”
He said he was concerned about the front and two sides of the structure adding that he did not yet know what caused the blaze, nor whether there were fire alarms or sprinklers in place.
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.” A spokesman for Primark 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. Loud bangs could be heard and 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. Joan McCoy, the president of the Royal Society of Ulster Architects, said: “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.
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.”
Glyn Roberts, the Retail Northern Ireland chief executive, said: “The emergency services deserve credit for handling a very difficult situation in such a big store in a busy city centre without any reported injuries.
“This is a very concerning development, both for Primark and the city centre as a whole. Primark is a major attraction for Belfast and provides considerable footfall for surrounding traders.”
BelfastBelfast
Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland
PrimarkPrimark
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