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Belfast Primark fire: Bank Buildings 'at risk of collapse' Belfast Primark fire: Bank Buildings 'at risk of collapse'
(35 minutes later)
The Primark building in Belfast is "at risk of imminent collapse", a police officer at the scene has told the BBC.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 on Tuesday.
About 100 firefighters are at the scene and the fire has spread to the ground floor. About 100 firefighters are at the scene and the fire has spread to the ground floor, with ceilings giving way.
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 but the fire service has advised people to avoid Castle Street and Royal Avenue.
The fire service said it expected to be at the scene into the evening.The fire service said it expected to be at the scene into the evening.
The clothing giant confirmed in a tweet that all staff members were safely evacuated. Clothing giant Primark confirmed in a tweet that the building was 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.
A police officer at the scene told BBC News NI that structural engineers had assessed the building and said it was "in danger of collapse."
What have eyewitnesses said?
Alice Murdoch told BBC News NI she was inside the building just before it was evacuated.Alice Murdoch told BBC News NI she was inside the building just before it was evacuated.
"I just popped inside and you could smell the smoke already," she said."I just popped inside and you could smell the smoke already," she said.
"Staff were sort of looking at each other and then the alarm started going off and they said 'get out as quickly as you can'. "Staff were sort of looking at each other and then the alarm started going off and they said: 'Get out as quickly as you can.'
Ms Murdoch said it was "quite scary" but that the evacuation was well-organised.Ms Murdoch said it was "quite scary" but that the evacuation was well-organised.
Caitlin Hunter said there was a sense of "controlled panic" as people inside the store tried to get out.
"I was inside on the bottom floor just having a nosey around at the make-up section and all of a sudden I could smell a weird smell of smoke," she said.
"Nothing had been said at this point what about was happening but people [had] their gut instinct, knowing something wasn't right.
"It was a race for people to come down the lifts and stairs... we were all rushing out."
What is the history of the 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 original Bank Buildings was designed by Sir Robert Taylor and erected by Waddell Cunningham in 1785.The original 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.