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Primark fire: Bank Buildings 'at risk of collapse' Belfast Primark fire: Bank Buildings 'at risk of collapse'
(35 minutes later)
The Primark store in Belfast is 'at risk of imminent collapse,' a senior police officer has said. The Primark building in Belfast is 'at risk of imminent collapse,' a police officer at the scene has told the BBC.
A fire broke out in the five-storey listed Bank Buildings at about 11:00 BST.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 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, but NIFRS has advised people to avoid Castle Street and Royal Avenue.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.
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 was undergoing a major refurbishment. It was 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 was 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.