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| Belfast college extension on fire | Belfast college extension on fire |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| A college in south Belfast has been badly damaged in a fire. | A college in south Belfast has been badly damaged in a fire. |
| Four fire engines have been battling the blaze at Union Theological College on Botanic Avenue. The fire has now been brought under control. | Four fire engines have been battling the blaze at Union Theological College on Botanic Avenue. The fire has now been brought under control. |
| The fire service were contacted at 0830 GMT. Twenty six college residents were moved unharmed out of their nearby accommodation. | |
| 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 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. | |
| "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." | |
| 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 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." |