Opinion

Full details still needed over cause of Primark fire

There will be relief over yesterday’s final confirmation, after a lengthy investigation, that the massive blaze last August which destroyed Belfast’s landmark Primark store, and caused enormous and prolonged upheaval across the city centre, was started accidentally.

Given the scale of the devastation which occurred at the historic Bank Buildings, and the serious consequences for many nearby traders, there will still be an expectation that specific details about the cause will shortly be released.

Although fortunately no one was injured in the fire, the public is completely entitled to know how exactly how such a disaster could happen and what steps have been taken to prevent any repetition.