01/10/2018

Five Police Officers Treated In Hospital Following Fire In North Belfast

Five police officers have been treated in hospital for the effects of breathing in smoke following a fire in north Belfast.

Officers responded to reports of a fire at a block of flats in Flax Street at around 5.40am on Saturday 29 September. The officers who were first to arrive at the scene entered the building and evacuated residents. The officers were taken to hospital for treatment of the effects of smoke inhalation.

One man was removed from the building by Fire Service personnel wearing breathing apparatus. He was subsequently arrested on suspicion of arson endangering life, before being transferred to hospital for treatment for smoke inhalation.

Detective Sergeant Stephen Gardiner said: "I would commend the bravery of the responding officers who dealt with this incident, for their selflessness and commitment to protecting the public and ensuring the residents of the building were removed from harm's way and were kept safe."

(MH/CM)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

20 February 2014
Men Arrested Following Antrim Flats Fire
Two men have been arrested following a suspected arson attack in Antrim. Three PSNI officers were among the people treated for smoke inhalation during the fire at a block of flats in Tiger Court It is suspected that the fire was started deliberately after a window was smashed at about 01:25 this morning.
31 March 2011
NI Misses Cancer Treatment Targets
Northern Ireland's hospitals have failed to meet target times for the treatment of patients referred for suspected cancer, a new report by the Department of Health revealed. Its guidelines say 95% of patients should begin their treatment within 62 days. Last December however, the figure stood at 81%, which was the third monthly fall in a row.
06 September 2007
Eight Injured In Dunmurry Fire
Eight people have been injured in a fire at flats in Dunmurry. Six police officers were treated for the effects of smoke inhalation and two other people were taken to hospital. One person was found unconscious at the scene of the fire in a flat at the Seymour Hill Estate. He was rescued by firefighters wearing breathing apparatus.
05 December 2017
Missing Child Rescued From NI River
A 12-year-old child who was reported missing has been found waist deep in a river in Northern Ireland. Officers from the Magherafelt Local Policing Team were carrying out searches after the child had gone missing from home. Officers had to enter the water following concerns for the child's health and safety.
13 July 2017
Cyclist Dies Following Collision Near Conlig
Police in Newtownards have appealed for information following a fatal road traffic collision near Conlig. A man, aged 40, was cycling with two others when they were struck by a white Hyundai car on the Bangor-bound carriageway shortly before 2pm on Tuesday, 11 July. The man died in hospital from injuries sustained in the collision.