27 June 2006

Oil tank fire damages homes

A fire has caused damage to a number of properties in north Belfast.

It is understood that the fire spread from an oil tank at the rear of a house in Alliance Avenue at around 7am today.

The fuel is understood to have flowed from the backyard and then spread to another property in Stratford Gardens, which backs onto the house.

It then spread along a wall to the adjacent house.

The fire burnt through the roof above a rear bedroom on the house in Stratford Gardens, however no-one was injured during the blaze.

A number of other properties nearby sustained smoke and scorch damage.

The Fire and Rescue Service are currently investigating the cause of the blaze.

Meanwhile, an area in County Tyrone was sealed off this morning due to a leakage from an oil tanker.

Police cordoned off the Mill Street area, Craigavon Road and Ecclesville Way areas of Fintona town centre and residents were asked to vacate homes close to the scene.

The fire service attended the scene of the spillage, after being alerted shortly before 10am today.

(EF/GB)