THE Fire Service said a blaze which caused damage to a development of new homes in Co Antrim was accidental.
Firefighters were called to the building site, where a number of homes and apartments are being built, at Main Street in Glenavy at around 10.30pm last night.
A total of seven appliances were sent to the scene where fire personnel found the fire "well alight".
The blaze was brought under control by 5.20am today.
A spokesman for the Northern Ireland Fire Service said:"Firefighters were called to a fire in a semi-detached house on Main Street, Glenavy.
"The fire was well alight when firefighters arrived. Firefighters used hose reel jets to extinguish the fire. The cause has been determined as accidental".
Sinn Féin councillor Gary McCleave said the fire had occurred at a time when there is a serious need for housing in Glenavy.
"I live behind them so I was on site about 10.50pm and they were well ablaze when the fire service arrived, " he said.
"It was in a block at the back of the site. They contained it to that. It didn't spread to any of the other homes, all timber frame."
Mr McCleave added: "There is a serious need for housing in general in Glenavy and this is a major setback.
"This will put back the date of completion," he said.
"There will be a knock-on effect. People have been on the phone to me who are in serious need of housing. We don't know what is going to happen or how long it will be delayed for."
