Fire destroys shopping centre

A central Belfast shopping centre lay in ruins today after being destroyed in a major fire.

All the shops in North Street Arcade, off Donegall Street – around 20 of them - were gutted in the overnight blaze.

At its height over 70 fire fighters using 16 appliances were called to the blaze from stations across the North.

They fought the fire from both ends and managed to stop it spreading to neighbouring properties.

Nearby apartments and pubs were evacuated until the fire was brought under control.

Divisional Fire Officer John Wilson said: “It was probably one of the biggest fires we have had in the commercial part of the city in several years.”

An art gallery, book shop, video store, cloths store, hairdresser and pet shop were among businesses destroyed.

Police and fire officers were combing the scene today to try to find the cause.