Suspicious blaze sweeps council depot

Damage estimated at more than £500,000 (€780,500) was caused by a suspicious fire at a council depot in Northern Ireland today.

Striking firefighters joined military fire crews to help tackle the blaze, which was discovered around 1am in a large shed at Oaks Road in Dungannon, Co Tyrone.

Council officials believe the fire was started deliberately. Some nearby homes were evacuated for a time but no-one was injured.

Council lorries and vans and other equipment were badly damaged and part of the building collapsed. Burning fuel caused a number of small explosions.

Bertie McMinn, head of technical services at Dungannon District Council, said he believed the blaze was malicious.

“The building was burning at both ends with a gap in the middle so it would appear that it had been started deliberately.”

He added: “You are looking at least another £500,000 of plant and equipment sitting here close by and had it not been for the good efforts of the firemen getting the water and foam on in time practically the whole yard could have been burned down.”

Council services will be suspended for a time as an examination of the scene takes place today.