Northern Ireland

Guests return to Benedict's Hotel after Sunday night blaze

Fire crews on Sunday night responding to the blaze at Benedict's Hotel on Bradbury Place. Picture: NI Emergency Response Vids
Fire crews on Sunday night responding to the blaze at Benedict's Hotel on Bradbury Place. Picture: NI Emergency Response Vids Fire crews on Sunday night responding to the blaze at Benedict's Hotel on Bradbury Place. Picture: NI Emergency Response Vids

THE cause of a fire at a well-known hotel in south Belfast is being investigated after guests had to be evacuated on Sunday night.

After the alarm was raised at Benedict's Hotel on Bradbury Place just after 11pm, the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service deployed six appliances along with five officers and a specialist command support unit.

A spokesperson said: "Firefighters used breathing apparatus and other specialist equipment to bring the fire under control."

By around 1am, an update was issued to say the incident had been scaled back but some resources remained at the scene and that an investigation into the cause of the fire was underway.

On Monday, the hotel issued a statement thanking the emergency services and other hotels in Belfast who were able to take in guests at short notice.

A hotel spokesperson said: "We would like to thank the amazing Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service for their quick actions when attending tonight.

"We also wish to thank our diligent staff for their rapid response in helping to evacuate everyone safely from the building."

They added: "To our residents, thank you so much for your patience and understanding. We will be in contact with each and every one of you tomorrow. To the Europa Hotel and The Lansdowne Belfast, your help in relocating our residents at such short notice was invaluable."

The hotel managed to reopen the bar and accommodation on Monday, but advised it could take a few days before food service could resume.

Many passed on messages to support on the hotel's Facebook page.

One wrote: "Glad everyone got out safely which is the main thing. Business as usual hopefully very soon. Great place, great staff."

The PSNI advised that after closing the street for public safety, traffic had reopened on Bradbury Place by Monday morning.