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Fire destroys Primark store in Belfast city centre Fire destroys Primark store in Belfast city centre
(35 minutes later)
The flagship Primark store in Belfast has been destroyed in a fire that broke out on Tuesday morning.The flagship Primark store in Belfast has been destroyed in a fire that broke out on Tuesday morning.
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.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.
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 store had been undergoing a multimillion-pound refurbishment and a recruitment drive for more than 100 positions was launched last week.
The store was undergoing a multimillion-pound refurbishment and a recruitment drive for more than 100 jobs had been launched last week. 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 built by Waddell Cunningham in 1785. The historic clock at the top of the building was engulfed in flames before the fire spread from the roof to the floor below.
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. Primark’s chief executive, Paul Marchant, said he was deeply shocked and saddened, and reassured staff who worked in the building that they would be “fully supported”.
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”. Michael Graham, Belfast’s assistant chief fire and rescue officer, said his crews had been battling the blaze for six hours.
Michael Graham, assistant chief fire and rescue officer, said his crews had been battling the blaze for six hours. “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.
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 did not yet know what caused the blaze, nor whether there were fire alarms or sprinklers in place, he said.
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 had 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 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: “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. Loud bangs could be heard and large pieces of debris were seen falling from the building. Customers described smelling smoke inside the store before staff told them to leave. Loud bangs could be heard and large pieces of debris were seen falling from the building.
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. 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.
“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. Glyn Roberts, the chief executive of Retail Northern Ireland, 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.”“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.”
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