19/07/2001

POLICE TREAT FACTORY FIRE AS SUSPECTED ARSON

A FIRE which has caused extensive damage to a tyre depot in Armagh is being treated by police as suspected arson.

Emergency services were alerted to the blaze on the Loughgall Road, around 3.30am on Thursday 19 July, following several calls reporting the fire. Seven fire engines arrived at the scene, by which point the fire had reached such an extent that flames could be seen from twenty miles away.

Firefighters battled for several hours to bring the conflagration, which involved several thousands of car, lorry and tractor tyres, under control. A nearby electricity substation is also thought to have been caught up in the fire, but at around 7am, divisional fire officer Walter Johnson announced that fire officers had successfully mastered the blaze, but estimated that it would take another 24 hours for the fire to be completely extinguished.

Environmental health officials have also been called to the scene to measure levels of smoke pollution.

The police are currently investigating reports that people were seen acting suspiciously in the area shortly before the outbreak of the fire. (CL)

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