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| Firefighters injured at college | Firefighters injured at college |
| (29 minutes later) | |
| Two firefighters have been injured while tackling a fire at a theological college in south Belfast. | Two firefighters have been injured while tackling a fire at a theological college in south Belfast. |
| Eight fire appliances battled the blaze at Union Theological College on Botanic Avenue. | |
| The fire service was contacted at 0700 GMT. Twenty six college residents were moved out of nearby accommodation. | |
| Two firefighters were injured by molten metal inside the premises and were given first aid at the scene. The fire is being treated as suspicious. | |
| The fire service has confirmed that it attended a blaze at the premises earlier in the morning at about 0230 GMT. | The fire service has confirmed that it attended a blaze at the premises earlier in the morning at about 0230 GMT. |
| "Then just after 0700, a further call was received about a fire in the building and the fire crews and appliances have been there since that time," Group Commander Chris Kerr said. | "Then just after 0700, a further call was received about a fire in the building and the fire crews and appliances have been there since that time," Group Commander Chris Kerr said. |
| "Part of the overall investigation is the circumstances of both incidents." | "Part of the overall investigation is the circumstances of both incidents." |
| Deterioration | Deterioration |
| He said he was removing fire officers from inside the building because of the "fragile" state of the roof. | He said he was removing fire officers from inside the building because of the "fragile" state of the roof. |
| "The deterioration in the internal conditions of the building has meant we have asked for further resources and a high reach appliance so that the crews can operation from a platform of safety above the blaze," he added. | "The deterioration in the internal conditions of the building has meant we have asked for further resources and a high reach appliance so that the crews can operation from a platform of safety above the blaze," he added. |
| The fire was in a part of the college known as the Principal's House which is Grade A listed and is being renovated. | The fire was in a part of the college known as the Principal's House which is Grade A listed and is being renovated. |
| The work cost £2.2m and it was due to be used as a training resource centre when it opened in January 2010. | The work cost £2.2m and it was due to be used as a training resource centre when it opened in January 2010. |
| The college, which was founded in 1853, is the main theological institution for those wishing to train for the Presbyterian ministry. | The college, which was founded in 1853, is the main theological institution for those wishing to train for the Presbyterian ministry. |
| Flames rise above the building | Flames rise above the building |
| It is also a part of Queen's University and theology students from all denominations are taught in the building. | It is also a part of Queen's University and theology students from all denominations are taught in the building. |
| Its library was used as the House of Commons chamber in the early days of the Northern Ireland parliament. | Its library was used as the House of Commons chamber in the early days of the Northern Ireland parliament. |
| Devastated | Devastated |
| Reverend Trevor Gribbon, who is secretary of the college management committee, said everyone who has a relationship with the college, was "devastated" by the fire. | Reverend Trevor Gribbon, who is secretary of the college management committee, said everyone who has a relationship with the college, was "devastated" by the fire. |
| "The good thing is that there has been no threat to life or indeed any loss of life," he said. | "The good thing is that there has been no threat to life or indeed any loss of life," he said. |
| "We are very pleased that the fire authorities were able to stop the fire spreading to the main college which is also a Grade A listed building and if the fire had spread there, it would have been totally devastating." | "We are very pleased that the fire authorities were able to stop the fire spreading to the main college which is also a Grade A listed building and if the fire had spread there, it would have been totally devastating." |
| He added that college authorities, students, architects and builders were all at the site and were "determined to pick up the pieces". | He added that college authorities, students, architects and builders were all at the site and were "determined to pick up the pieces". |
| "We are now into the realm of loss adjustors and insurers and that will take a long while. | "We are now into the realm of loss adjustors and insurers and that will take a long while. |
| "We know that we are probably talking another year but we know that we will find a way through because this is a resource that is needed, not only for the church, but for the university and the wider community in Northern Ireland." | "We know that we are probably talking another year but we know that we will find a way through because this is a resource that is needed, not only for the church, but for the university and the wider community in Northern Ireland." |
| SDLP MLA for the area, Carmel Hanna, has extended her sympathy to college students and staff. | SDLP MLA for the area, Carmel Hanna, has extended her sympathy to college students and staff. |
| "This is an iconic building in South Belfast, which has been used by all denominations and none," she said. | "This is an iconic building in South Belfast, which has been used by all denominations and none," she said. |
| "I hope the main building emerges unscathed and I extend my support to all those affected by the fire." | "I hope the main building emerges unscathed and I extend my support to all those affected by the fire." |