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Fire breaks out at Primark store in Belfast Primark fire: Bank Buildings 'at risk of collapse'
(about 1 hour later)
A fire has broken out at the Primark building in Belfast city centre. The Primark store in Belfast is 'at risk of imminent collapse,' a senior police officer has said.
The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) received a report at 11:00 BST that the top floor of the five-storey commercial building was on fire. A fire broke out in the five-storey listed Bank Buildings at about 11:00 BST.
A number of fire engines are at the scene and it is believed the fire has spread to the ground floor. A number of fire engines are at the scene and the fire has spread to the ground floor.
There are no reports of any injuries and the building has been evacuated. There are no reports of any injuries and the building has been evacuated, but NIFRS has advised people to avoid Castle Street and Royal Avenue.
NIFRS have advised people to avoid Castle Street and Royal Avenue while the incident is ongoing.
The clothing giant confirmed in a tweet that all staff members were safely evacuated.The clothing giant confirmed in a tweet that all staff members were safely evacuated.
Royal Avenue has been cordoned off and pieces of debris fell from the side of the historic building.Royal Avenue has been cordoned off and pieces of debris fell from the side of the historic building.
The clothing and homeware chain is currently undergoing a major refurbishment. It is being extended along Castle Street in a project costing an estimated £30m. The clothing and homeware chain was undergoing a major refurbishment. It was being extended along Castle Street in a project costing an estimated £30m.
The Bank Buildings were designed by Sir Robert Taylor and erected by Waddell Cunningham in 1785. The Bank Buildings was designed by Sir Robert Taylor and erected by Waddell Cunningham in 1785.
WH Lynn designed the new bank buildings in 1900. He intended it as a bridge to the 20th century, with a compromise between the classical style of the upper part of the building and the great expanse of plate glass below.WH Lynn designed the new bank buildings in 1900. He intended it as a bridge to the 20th century, with a compromise between the classical style of the upper part of the building and the great expanse of plate glass below.
Three bombs exploded in the Bank Buildings in 1975. A huge fire broke out shortly afterwards and damaged parts of the building.Three bombs exploded in the Bank Buildings in 1975. A huge fire broke out shortly afterwards and damaged parts of the building.
In 1979, the Bank Buildings were taken over by the Dublin-based group Primark. Within 18 months, the store was totally refurbished and the exterior restored to its 1903 glory.In 1979, the Bank Buildings were taken over by the Dublin-based group Primark. Within 18 months, the store was totally refurbished and the exterior restored to its 1903 glory.
Rajesh Rana, president of Belfast Chamber of Trade and Commerce said he was sorry to hear about the fire.Rajesh Rana, president of Belfast Chamber of Trade and Commerce said he was sorry to hear about the fire.
"It is a sad day for Belfast and for one of our city's leading retailers, which was in the midst of completing a £30m expansion project," he said."It is a sad day for Belfast and for one of our city's leading retailers, which was in the midst of completing a £30m expansion project," he said.