Residents evacuated after toxic fire

Hundreds of people have spent the night away from their homes following a toxic fire at a warehouse in Coleraine, County Londonderry.

Around 600 houses in the area were evacuated last night while up to 80 firefighters tackled the blaze at a warehouse containing chemicals at Armstrong Medical in Wattstown Business Park last night.

A large storeroom at the back of the warehouse was badly damaged in the fire.

Peter Reilly of the Fire and Rescue Service said smoke from the chemical fire had drifted up to 15 miles away.

He said: “This fire, which was quite substantial, gave off large volumes of thick acrid smoke because it specifically involved plastics.

“The smoke could be seen as far away as Lough Neagh and unfortunately for us it was descending into local housing estates and could possibly affect the health of the residents.”

175 homes in the Windy Estate and 400 homes in Knocklynn and Newbridge were evacuated.

Ulster Unionist party councillor Norman Hillis raised concerns over the jobs of almost 70 staff.

He said: “The fire could leave the immediate future uncertain for staff at Armstrong Medical Services. The company is one of Coleraine’s most successful businesses and it has only recently expanded premises at Wattstow Business Park.

“The extent of the damage is not yet clear but certainly it is a major blow to this to this progressive party.”

Residents returned to their homes at around 7:00am this morning when the fire was brought under control.

(JM/SP)