Northern Ireland

Arson attack at former Downe hospital site condemned

The fire service said a blaze at the site of the old Downe Hospital in Downpatrick was started deliberately. Picture by Conor Kinahan/Pacemaker Press
The fire service said a blaze at the site of the old Downe Hospital in Downpatrick was started deliberately. Picture by Conor Kinahan/Pacemaker Press The fire service said a blaze at the site of the old Downe Hospital in Downpatrick was started deliberately. Picture by Conor Kinahan/Pacemaker Press

A deliberate fire at the "iconic" former Downe Hospital has been condemned.

Firefighters were called to the "challenging" blaze in Downpatrick shortly before 7.50pm yesterday.

Nine appliances were used and members of the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service  used ladders to fight the fire externally and wore breathing apparatus to enter the building, working until just after midnight.

A number of rooms inside the property are believed to have been damaged.

NIFRS said the fire is believed to have been deliberate.

In a statement the PSNI said officers are investigating the blaze as arson.

"Inquiries are continuing and at this stage, the fire is being treated as deliberate," they said.

"We would appeal to anyone who witnessed anything suspicious in the area at the time of the incident to contact police on 101 quoting reference number 1750 09/02/21."

South Down SDLP MLA Colin McGrath said he was saddened by the fire at the building which is under reconstruction to become new social housing.

"It is appalling that this is being treated as arson. For people to cause such reckless damage and waste the time of our emergency services during a pandemic is grossly irresponsible and they should wise up," he said.

"This is an iconic building in Downpatrick and a connection to the rich caring and health service heritage of our town and local people."

A blaze at the site of the old Downe Hospital in Downpatrick was started deliberately. Picture by Conor Kinahan/Pacemaker Press
A blaze at the site of the old Downe Hospital in Downpatrick was started deliberately. Picture by Conor Kinahan/Pacemaker Press A blaze at the site of the old Downe Hospital in Downpatrick was started deliberately. Picture by Conor Kinahan/Pacemaker Press