12/02/2026
Maghera Derelict Building Fire Believed To Be Deliberate
A large-scale fire that broke out at a derelict property in Upperlands, Maghera, has been extinguished following a major operation by the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS). The emergency call was first logged at 9.06 am on Wednesday, 11 February 2026.
At the peak of the fire, more than 50 personnel were deployed to the Kilrea Road site. The extensive response included crews and appliances from nine different stations: Maghera, Kilrea, Magherafelt, Northland, Coleraine, Dungiven, Strabane, Pomeroy, and Ballymena. Specialized equipment, including an aerial appliance and two water tankers, was also utilised to manage the flames.
An NIFRS spokesperson commented on the efforts of the teams involved: "Our Firefighters worked tirelessly throughout the duration of the incident to ensure that the fire was brought under control and extinguished.
"We would like to thank the public for their patience whilst we dealt with the incident."
The operation lasted for over six hours, with the NIFRS confirming the incident was successfully resolved by 3.17 pm. Following a preliminary investigation, the service has indicated that the blaze is being treated as arson.
The cause of the fire is believed to have been deliberate ignition and the incident was dealt with by 3.17pm on Wednesday 11 February 2026.
At the peak of the fire, more than 50 personnel were deployed to the Kilrea Road site. The extensive response included crews and appliances from nine different stations: Maghera, Kilrea, Magherafelt, Northland, Coleraine, Dungiven, Strabane, Pomeroy, and Ballymena. Specialized equipment, including an aerial appliance and two water tankers, was also utilised to manage the flames.
"We would like to thank the public for their patience whilst we dealt with the incident."
The operation lasted for over six hours, with the NIFRS confirming the incident was successfully resolved by 3.17 pm. Following a preliminary investigation, the service has indicated that the blaze is being treated as arson.
The cause of the fire is believed to have been deliberate ignition and the incident was dealt with by 3.17pm on Wednesday 11 February 2026.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.