Oil tank arsonists spark emergency

Several lives were put at risk by malicious arsonists who set oil tanks ablaze outside a doctor's surgery in Northern Ireland, firefighters said today.

Several lives were put at risk by malicious arsonists who set oil tanks ablaze outside a doctor's surgery in the North, firefighters said today.

Around 15 firefighters battled for more than an hour to bring the fast-flowing fire under control at the rear of the medical premises in north Belfast early this morning.

Two large 1,500 litre oil tanks had been set alight sparking the emergency at the three-story mid-terrace premises on Cliftonville Road at around 1.40am.

Two crews, based at Westland Road and Whitla Road fire stations, were put in "grave danger" as were people in the area, said David Patton, Assistant Group Commander, Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service.

"This was what we would call a free flowing oil fire - which spreads very rapidly," he said.

"It could quite easily have spread to three or four other houses adjacent to the blaze. For the firefighters, it was very difficult to contain."

Fire crews fought to stem the tide of flammable oil flowing from the destroyed tanks towards neighbouring buildings, nearby cars and into the drains.

"The professionalism of the firefighters involved stopped this fire spreading into something a lot more serious and engulfing the rest of this building and others," said Mr Patton.

The fire crews were satisfied the blaze was completely extinguished by 3.20am.

The Environment and Heritage Service has been notified of contaminated oil making its way into the drainage system and are expected to be monitoring the area for pollution.

Early indications suggest the fire was started deliberately, possibly by youths, according to Mr Patton.

He said: "Young people seem to think its funny to start wee fires around the back of premises, but they don't take on board the consequences of their actions."

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said they have launched an investigation into the fire and a broken window at the surgery.

A PSNI spokeswoman appealed for anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area at the time - or saw anyone running away - to get in contact with them at Tennant Street station.