A WEST Belfast factory owner has said he has been "left with nothing" after everything he spent years working for was destroyed in a huge fire.
It took more than 40 firefighters to extinguish the blaze at Belfast Crystal Ltd in the Kennedy Way Industrial Estate in west Belfast on Saturday evening.
In a statement, the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said it was alerted to the incident shortly after 6pm and on arrival crews were "confronted by a well-developed fire in the property".
Several nearby shops were evacuated and residents living within the vicinity of the industrial estate were advised to keep their doors and windows closed due to the volume of smoke.
The nearby Kennedy Centre had to be evacuated as the flames and smoke engulfed the area along with fears about gas cylinders that were on the factory premises.
The PSNI, who are treating the fire as suspicious, have appealed for information.
Family run Belfast Crystal was established in 1978 and next would have celebrated four decades in business.
It specialises in hand-cut glassware and is frequently used to provide glass trophies and awards for local prize-giving ceremonies.
Owner Tony Abbate, who has appealed for help in getting his business up and running again, described the moment police rang him with the news.
"I was sitting at home when the police told me there was a 'major incident' at the business," he said.
"We tried to get down near the shop but we couldn't get close, we could just see the smoke and I had to keep thinking 'it can't be that bad'."
"The next morning we were allowed in the building and I couldn't believe it. There was just nothing left, it was completely gutted.
I've been walking around all day completely numb, we've lost everything."
The business was founded by Mr Abbate’s Italian father Antonio after he moved from his home country to train with Waterford Crystal in the 1960s, before moving to Belfast in the 1970s.
Four employees making up three generations of the Abbate family who worked at the business.
Mr Abbate said his 83-year-old father still came into work everyday and was 'devastated' when he heard the news.
"It's what keeps him going, what get's him up in the morning. Now, especially with something this destructive, I don't know what we're going to do.
"I have nothing left to sell, so if anyone could do anything to help, just so we can get back on our feet, please do. A portacabin we could borrow or anything, please get in touch."
Last August, another business in the industrial park was also destroyed in a fire.
Wastebeater Recycling Plant, which is two doors down from Belfast Crystal, was completely gutted in the incident, which was believed to have been started accidentally.
Donations to help fund a new premises for Belfast Crystal can be made at https://www.gofundme.com/belfast-crystal
