Double Fire Alert In Antrim Area

A probe is now underway into a fire that forced more than 50 people to be moved from their homes as the blaze destroyed a factory outside Antrim town.

During most of the afternoon smoke was visible as far away as Holywood, Co Down and in Ballymena, such was the intensity of the fire and the smoke given off.

The fire started at lunchtime on Monday at Camden Windows on the Greystone Road with residents having to be evacuated because the smoke contained hazardous chemicals.

Other people in the area around the site were advised to keep their windows closed and stay indoors.

The Fire & Rescue Service were in attendance at the incident and tasked three specialist fire trucks to help tackle the blaze at the glazing factory.

They returned overnight as other smaller fires continued to smoulder.

The huge fire came just hours after a Co Antrim motorsports centre was destroyed in an arson attack.

Approximately £100,000 worth of damage was caused to the Nutts Corner Motor Circuit at Dundrod in the early hours of Monday morning.

The main building and two portable buildings were set alight. A number of quad bikes, a 4x4 jeep and a ride-on lawnmower were also stolen.

(BMcC)