Gorse fire in the North which sparked evacuation 'started deliberately'

A gorse fire in the North which forced families to evacuate their homes overnight was started deliberately, a fire service there believes.

Some eight fire engines and 60 firefighters tackled the blaze in Newry, Co Down on Friday night, Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service said.

They were called to the fire nearby residential houses on Barley Lane and St Mary's high school at around 8.50pm.

Residents were temporarily evacuated from their homes as firefighters brought the fire under control, fully extinguishing it at around 2am this morning.

Fire service group commander Brian Stanfield said: "They had to work hard in difficult conditions to bring the fire under control and extinguish the flames.

"Members of the public left their houses during the incident."

Nobody was injured and no buildings were damaged, he added.

The fire service attended more than 160 incidents between 6pm and 11pm on Friday night, Mr Stanfield said.

We've attended 221 gorse fires since Monday - 92% started deliberately. Enjoy the good weather but don't put your life and ours at risk! pic.twitter.com/9laS4nITgs

— Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (@NIFRSOFFICIAL) May 5, 2017

He is urging the public to heed fire safety advice to protect themselves and the countryside, after a spate of fires sparked by the dry weather.