Residents evacuated after store blaze in the North

Residents were evacuated from their homes today over fears a shop fire would spread to gas cylinders.

Police were alerted to the blaze at the Spar supermarket on Bridge Street, Antrim, shortly after 4.15am.

Gas cylinders at the rear of building sparked safety concerns for nearby residents. A number of homes were evacuated at Masareen Street.

Some nearby roads were also closed while firefighters put out the blaze and made the area safe.

A Police Service spokesman said “Initial inquiries would suggest the fire was suspicious and may have been started at the rear of the building.”

Detectives have appealed for anyone with information to get in contact.