Menu
27/11/2002
Woman dies in Bangor house fire
A man has been arrested after a woman died in a fire at her flat in the early hours of this morning.
The woman – who has not yet been named – was found dead by firefighters at the flat in the Kilcooley area of Bangor. She was in her thirties.
Armed service personnel on duty at the time of the incident raced to the scene and were joined at the scene by striking firefighters. The emergency services suspected that the blaze was started deliberately and a man was arrested this afternoon. There are no further details at moment.
The death is the first in Northern Ireland since the beginning of the eight-day fire strike which started last Friday.
Meanwhile, crucial talks aimed at resolving funding problems in the firefighters' pay dispute were set to continue for a second day between the Fire Brigade Union (FBU) and the government.
Negotiations are likely to centre on the savings that would be made from the modernisation that the government says must be linked with a pay deal.
However, the big talking point of the day was over the suggestion by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott that up to 11,000 firefighter jobs could be axed as part of a process of reform. Whilst the government said that there would not be any redundancies, Mr Prescott said that early retirements in the service provided "ample opportunity to discuss more efficient utilisation of labour".
It is currently estimated that a 16% rise for firefighters would cost an estimated £180 million, bringing the annual bill for firefighters' pay to £1.2 billion.
The striking FBU firefighters will return to work at 9am on Saturday morning.
(MB)
The woman – who has not yet been named – was found dead by firefighters at the flat in the Kilcooley area of Bangor. She was in her thirties.
Armed service personnel on duty at the time of the incident raced to the scene and were joined at the scene by striking firefighters. The emergency services suspected that the blaze was started deliberately and a man was arrested this afternoon. There are no further details at moment.
The death is the first in Northern Ireland since the beginning of the eight-day fire strike which started last Friday.
Meanwhile, crucial talks aimed at resolving funding problems in the firefighters' pay dispute were set to continue for a second day between the Fire Brigade Union (FBU) and the government.
Negotiations are likely to centre on the savings that would be made from the modernisation that the government says must be linked with a pay deal.
However, the big talking point of the day was over the suggestion by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott that up to 11,000 firefighter jobs could be axed as part of a process of reform. Whilst the government said that there would not be any redundancies, Mr Prescott said that early retirements in the service provided "ample opportunity to discuss more efficient utilisation of labour".
It is currently estimated that a 16% rise for firefighters would cost an estimated £180 million, bringing the annual bill for firefighters' pay to £1.2 billion.
The striking FBU firefighters will return to work at 9am on Saturday morning.
(MB)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
12 December 2024
Five Arrested In Major Belfast Drug Bust
Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland's Organised Crime Branch have arrested five people in connection with a major drug trafficking operation. The arrests were made on Tuesday 10 and Wednesday 11 December following a series of raids in the Greater Belfast area.
Five Arrested In Major Belfast Drug Bust
Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland's Organised Crime Branch have arrested five people in connection with a major drug trafficking operation. The arrests were made on Tuesday 10 and Wednesday 11 December following a series of raids in the Greater Belfast area.
17 July 2001
ASSEMBLY CREATE AWARD TO HONOUR FIRE SERVICE
THE Northern Ireland Fire Service is to receive the first ever award given by the province's devolved assembly. An illuminated scroll is to be presented to Chief Fire Officer John McClelland on Tuesday, by assembly speaker Lord Alderdice in tribute to the sacrifice made by fire fighters over the years.
ASSEMBLY CREATE AWARD TO HONOUR FIRE SERVICE
THE Northern Ireland Fire Service is to receive the first ever award given by the province's devolved assembly. An illuminated scroll is to be presented to Chief Fire Officer John McClelland on Tuesday, by assembly speaker Lord Alderdice in tribute to the sacrifice made by fire fighters over the years.
20 November 2024
Roads Service Ready For Winter Weather
Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd has confirmed that the Department's winter service team is prepared to tackle the current cold snap. Around 300 staff and 130 gritters are ready to salt main roads, while 12 snow blowers are available for deployment if necessary. To ensure a comprehensive winter service, the Department has allocated £3.
Roads Service Ready For Winter Weather
Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd has confirmed that the Department's winter service team is prepared to tackle the current cold snap. Around 300 staff and 130 gritters are ready to salt main roads, while 12 snow blowers are available for deployment if necessary. To ensure a comprehensive winter service, the Department has allocated £3.
28 January 2003
Firefighters take to the picket lines
Firefighters in Northern Ireland left for the picket lines this morning after hopes of resolving the bitter dispute over pay collapsed yesterday. Members of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) across the UK are striking for 48 hours over the continuing deadlock in their long-running pay dispute with local employers.
Firefighters take to the picket lines
Firefighters in Northern Ireland left for the picket lines this morning after hopes of resolving the bitter dispute over pay collapsed yesterday. Members of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) across the UK are striking for 48 hours over the continuing deadlock in their long-running pay dispute with local employers.
01 October 2024
NIFRS Launches Online Home Fire Safety Check Tool
The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) has introduced a new online tool to help residents assess their home fire safety. The Home Fire Safety Check coincides with Fire Safety Week, which runs from September 30th to October 6th. The initiative aims to reduce the number of house fires in Northern Ireland.
NIFRS Launches Online Home Fire Safety Check Tool
The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) has introduced a new online tool to help residents assess their home fire safety. The Home Fire Safety Check coincides with Fire Safety Week, which runs from September 30th to October 6th. The initiative aims to reduce the number of house fires in Northern Ireland.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A largely dry evening and night. It will be mostly cloudy, but a few clear spells are possible in the east during the evening. Some patchy rain across the west shortly before dawn. Minimum temperature 5 °C.
