01/04/2026

Over 100 Firefighters Tackle Major Commercial Blaze in Omagh

The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) is currently dealing with a significant fire at a commercial premises on Bankmore Road in Omagh. Emergency services were first alerted to the incident at the Doogary West Industrial Estate at 7.19am this morning.

A massive regional response has been deployed to the scene, consisting of 15 fire appliances and more than 100 firefighters. Specialist equipment, including two water tankers, an aerial appliance, a high-volume pump, and a command support unit, is being utilised to bring the blaze under control.
News Image
One casualty was treated by firefighters at the site before being handed over to the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service. The individual was subsequently transported to hospital via the Northern Ireland Air Ambulance.

NIFRS Western Area Commander David Doherty stated: "The incident is ongoing. Members of the public are asked to avoid the area to support ongoing firefighting operations."

As a result of the emergency, Bankmore Road has been closed at both the A5 and Crevenagh Road junctions. Motorists are advised to seek alternative routes while the operation continues.

Latest Northern Ireland News

01 April 2026
Secretary of State Hilary Benn Visits Harland & Wolff to Mark Revitalisation Progress
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hilary Benn, has visited the Harland & Wolff shipyard to observe the significant transformation of the historic site under the ownership of Navantia UK. The visit comes just over a year since the company acquired the yard and launched its ambitious plans to modernise the facility for the future.
01 April 2026
Communities Minister Announces Property Value Limit Increase for Co-Ownership
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has announced an increase to the Co-Ownership property value limit (PVL) to bolster support for individuals and families seeking to purchase their own homes. Under the new measures, the PVL will rise from £210,000 to £215,000, with the change set to take effect from 14 April 2026.
01 April 2026
Executive Calls for 'Urgent' Changes to Local Growth Fund
The Northern Ireland Executive has issued a unified call for immediate changes to the Local Growth Fund, warning that the current funding position is neither sustainable nor fair for the local community and voluntary sector.
01 April 2026
Over 100 Firefighters Tackle Major Commercial Blaze in Omagh
The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) is currently dealing with a significant fire at a commercial premises on Bankmore Road in Omagh. Emergency services were first alerted to the incident at the Doogary West Industrial Estate at 7.19am this morning.
01 April 2026
New Comic Book Launched to Educate Young People On Domestic Abuse
A groundbreaking book designed to educate young people about the realities of domestic abuse has been launched in Derry City. Titled Our Modern Troubles – The Storm Before The Calm, the resource was created by students from various schools across the Derry City and Strabane district to provide a relatable and accessible guide for their peers.
01 April 2026
Ballycastle Named the Best Place to Live in Northern Ireland
The much-anticipated annual Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide has named Ballycastle in County Antrim the best place to live in Northern Ireland. The 2026 guide was released in March this year and gave the seaside town on Northern Ireland's north coast a big thumbs up.
01 April 2026
W5 Marks 25 Years As NI's Hub For Science And Discovery
W5 is celebrating its 25th anniversary as Northern Ireland's premier science and discovery centre. Since its inception in March 2001 as a cornerstone of the Odyssey development, the centre has seen more than six million learners and visitors engage with its hands-on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and maths) exhibits.
01 April 2026
Viable Explosive Device Left Outside Lurgan Police Station Following Hijacking
A major security operation was launched in Lurgan following a hijacking and subsequent bomb threat at the local police station on Monday, 30 March. At approximately 10.30pm, a fast food delivery driver was targeted while making a delivery in Deramore Drive, located in the Kilwilkie area.
01 April 2026
Drugs, Cash and Illicit Goods Seized in North Belfast
Officers in North Belfast conducted 23 house searches over the fortnight, resulting in the recovery of 6kg of suspected cannabis, suspected MDMA tablets, and £3,000 worth of suspected cannabis oil. In addition to the drugs and cash, police seized an estimated £20,000 worth of cigarettes and alcohol believed to be intended for illegal sale.
01 April 2026
NI Builders Top UK For Workload Growth
Northern Ireland's construction sector remained the busiest in the UK during H2 2025, posting a net workload balance of +35%. However, the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has warned of growing uncertainty as new enquiries "tumbled" from +64% in the first half of the year to just +12%—the steepest decline among the home nations.