Northern Ireland

Bombardier fire 'started in machinery'

Fire crews were last night tackling a major fire in east Belfast. Picture by Alan Lewis/ Photopress
Fire crews were last night tackling a major fire in east Belfast. Picture by Alan Lewis/ Photopress Fire crews were last night tackling a major fire in east Belfast. Picture by Alan Lewis/ Photopress

A major fire that broke out last night at the Bombardier factory in east Belfast is being treated as accidental.

The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) said the blaze "appears to have started in machinery" however the cause remains under investigation.

Airport Road was cordoned off as firefighters rushed to the scene.

The NIFRS said the incident involved a factory unit and they received the first call about the incident at 8.45pm.

At one stage there were six pumping appliances, one aerial appliance, a high volume pump with a total of 50 firefighters and supervisory officers engaged in firefighting operations to contain the fire.

The NIFRS provided an update at around 11pm to say the incident was "under control".

"Operations are being scaled back with a small number of resources remaining at the scene to damp down," a spokesman said.

"The fire appears to have started in machinery and the cause of the incident is under investigation.

"At this stage the cause is believed to be accidental.

"There were no injuries at the incident."

East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson described the blaze as "worrying".

"Worrying news coming from Bombardier, Airport Road of a large scale fire in the factory," he said.

"Praying that there have been no injuries.

"Emergency services appear to have it under control.

"The following hours will tell us of the scale of damage on site."