Crews battle Belfast chip-shop blaze

Six fire crews battled a dangerous blaze at a chip shop today which threatened to destroy neighbouring outlets and homes in south Belfast.

A gas mains at the back of the fast-food outlet in the Newtown Park area of the Four Winds caught fire at around 3am.

A number of nearby homes were evacuated as crews fought the fire.

The chip shop was badly damaged but fire crews, who were on the scene until after 6am, managed to prevent the blaze spreading to other properties.

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service said six units made their way to the Four Winds shortly after the fire broke out.

Meanwhile, 200 pigeons were slaughtered in a suspected arson attack which caused thousands of pounds worth of damage.

Six lofts were completely destroyed in the blaze, which broke out shortly after midnight at the rear of a home in Killyleagh, Co Down.

Police said it is believed more than 200 homing pigeons were killed.

A PSNI spokeswoman said the fire was being treated as suspicious.

Detectives at Ballynahinch are investigating and have appealed for anyone with information to come forward.