21/12/2016

Man Suffers Electric Shock Following Underground Fire

A man is being treated in hospital after he suffered an electric shock while investigating an underground fire in east Belfast.

According to the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) the man, aged 41, walked across an area of pavement when he saw smoke coming from below. It is understood that faulty electrical cables beneath the street had started the fire.

Higher than normal carbon monoxide level were detected by NIFRS, who evacuated a number of homes in the Melrose Avenue and Beersbridge Road areas while they dealt with the incident.

Another man, aged 36, was treated for carbon monoxide poisoning at the scene.

Carbon monoxide levels have now been reduced to normal, power has been restored and residents have been allowed to return to their homes.

Alliance Councillor David Armitage said: "The Fire Service, Red Cross and Northern Ireland Electricity all attended the scene, and my thanks go to them for dealing with the situation in a quick, professional manner," said Councillor Armitage.

"Thanks to their actions, they were able to locate the fire and prevent it from entering homes in the street. Without those organisations, this incident could have resulted in more injuries and perhaps even worse."

(MH/CD)

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