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19th Hole Bar extensively damaged in fire

The 19th Hole bar at Bridgend on the Derry-Donegal border was extensively damaged in a fire
The 19th Hole bar at Bridgend on the Derry-Donegal border was extensively damaged in a fire The 19th Hole bar at Bridgend on the Derry-Donegal border was extensively damaged in a fire

A LANDMARK bar near the Derry-Donegal border has been extensively damaged by fire.

Fire crews from Derry and Buncrana were called to the 19th Hole Bar in the border village of Bridgend when fire swept through the building around 3am today.

Popular with people in Derry and Inishowen, the bar took its name as a favourite stopover for golfers returning to Northern Ireland after completing the traditional 18-hole game of golf in Inishowen courses.

Roads around the bar, just off the main Derry to Buncrana road remained closed this morning as gardai continued to investigate. While the cause is not yet known, initial investigations indicate it was accidental.

Firefighters faced a particularly difficult task in bringing the blaze under control, according to Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service district commander Barry McDowell.

Mr McDowell said: "We turned out to the incident with three fire appliances from Northland Road (in Derry) and two from Buncrana. There were about 25 fire fighters attended that incident between both stations. It took about an hour to bring the fire under control and the building was extensively damaged inside. It looks like it was an accidental fire to be honest."

The district commander said fire fighters had to enter the building with hoses and using breathing apparatus because of the smoke.

No one was injured.