NI Fire Station Burns Down

While the origins of a fire which today destroyed a Co Down fire station have not yet been established, there is no indication of arson at this stage.

However, police have launched an investigation after Rathfriland fire station was razed to the ground in an early morning outbreak.

Two fire appliances were also destroyed in the blaze which was reported at about 4am.

Twenty firefighters managed to bring the fire under control but it was too far advanced when they arrived for the station to be saved.

"It just goes to show that fire can attack anybody," said fire service Area Commander Don McKay.

He told BBC Radio Ulster: "We have measures in place to make sure that we have adequate fire cover in the area.

"So the local community need not worry - a fire appliance will arrive if they need one."

Mr McKay said the incident was a little embarrassing, but said it was not the first time a fire station had been damaged by fire.

There was nobody inside the fire station when the blaze broke out, which needed four appliances from Newry to tackle the fire.

(BMcC/KMcA)