Northern Ireland

Car fire 'down to mechanical fault' after bomb squad sent to investigate blaze

 British Army bomb disposal experts examine the car. Picture by Hugh Russell
 British Army bomb disposal experts examine the car. Picture by Hugh Russell  British Army bomb disposal experts examine the car. Picture by Hugh Russell

A MECHANICAL fault caused a car to go on fire and sparked a security alert, police have confirmed.

British Army bomb disposal officers were sent to the scene on the A2 between Bangor and Belfast after it had been reported that it was an attack on a serving or former female police officer.

The road was closed in both directions for several hours while the bomb squad examined the Volkswagen but reopened at lunchtime. The female driver was not injured when her car went on fire close to the Ballyrobert Road junction at around 8.30am.

Initially DUP MP Ian Paisley said it was a "terrorist attack" involving a "suspected under car booby trap device". He later tweeted: "UPDATE reports suggest this was a major malfunction of the vehicle and not terrorist related. If so that's a huge relief and I hope those involved are uninjured"

UUP North Down assembly member Alan Chambers also condemned the incident and said he was relieved the woman escaped injury. 

At lunchtime police released a statement confirming "that a mechanical fault is believed to be the cause of a car fire on A2 between Belfast and Bangor".

The A2 reopened before 2pm.

Belfast bound traffic had been diverted off the A2 at Cootehall Rd and Ballysallagh Road and through Crawfordsburn and Helen's Bay with queues in both villages. Bangor bound traffic was diverted on to Craigdarragh Road and through Helen's Bay, however, HGVs were rerouted along Ballymoney Road.

The A2 had been closed at Marino for a time and traffic redirected along Whinney Hill and Craigantlet.

In other traffic news, motorists are advised to reduce their speed and exercise caution this morning in the Sprucefield area following reports of a fuel spillage on the roundabout at the Park & Ride.

The A2 has been closed near the Vauxhall dealership close to Ballyrobert Road. Picture: Google Maps 
The A2 has been closed near the Vauxhall dealership close to Ballyrobert Road. Picture: Google Maps  The A2 has been closed near the Vauxhall dealership close to Ballyrobert Road. Picture: Google Maps