26/05/2003

Break-in linked to charity building fire

Police in Belfast are linking a break-in at the headquarters of the Chest, Heart and Stroke Association offices with a fire which broke out in the same building early this morning.

The fire started on the ground floor at the back of the building before spreading. It was spotted shortly afterwards by a passing police car. Two offices were completed destroyed while a ceiling also caved in.

Earlier, a car that that had crashed at Curzon Street, off the Lower Ormeau Road, was found to be containing the charity's collecting tins.

The charity has said that it has begun to look for temporary offices for its 25 full-time and part-time staff.

No one was injured in the fire.

(MB)

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