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.
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.
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 November 2024
Antrim Fire Station Officially Re-Opens
Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service's Antrim Fire Station has officially re-opened following a £2.2 million refurbishment. Work began in March of last year to update the Castle Street site, which was originally built in 1953, to transform the building into a modern day fire station enhancing firefighter and public safety.
Antrim Fire Station Officially Re-Opens
Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service's Antrim Fire Station has officially re-opened following a £2.2 million refurbishment. Work began in March of last year to update the Castle Street site, which was originally built in 1953, to transform the building into a modern day fire station enhancing firefighter and public safety.
21 October 2002
Firefighters set dates for strike action
The UK's 55,000 firefighters are set to launch a series of strikes following a nine-to-one vote in favour by Fire Brigades Union members on Friday. After the vote, in which 87.
Firefighters set dates for strike action
The UK's 55,000 firefighters are set to launch a series of strikes following a nine-to-one vote in favour by Fire Brigades Union members on Friday. After the vote, in which 87.
17 September 2014
Community Fire Station Opens In Omagh
Public Safety Minister Edwin Poots has opened a new £4.4m Community Fire Station in Omagh, County Tyrone. The new Community Fire Station & District Headquarters on the Killybrack Road includes onsite facilities for firefighter training and transport and engineering workshops.
Community Fire Station Opens In Omagh
Public Safety Minister Edwin Poots has opened a new £4.4m Community Fire Station in Omagh, County Tyrone. The new Community Fire Station & District Headquarters on the Killybrack Road includes onsite facilities for firefighter training and transport and engineering workshops.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:All parts will have a dry and rather cloudy day. Chance of some brighter spells breaking through across the east at times. Brisk southwesterly winds. Mild. Maximum temperature 10 °C.Tonight:This evening will be dry. The rest of the night will remain mainly dry with a good deal of cloud. A little rain reaching the far west later. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
