30/04/2007

Land destroyed in Mourne gorse fire

Around 50 acres of gorseland in the Mourne Mountains has been destroyed following a major fire.

Up to 90 firefighters battled the blaze near Tullybrannigan which, according to the fire service, was started deliberately.

It is understood it took fire crews almost seven hours to bring the fires under control. They received a call at about 2:40pm on Sunday and sent seven appliances to the scene.

Gordon Latimer from the Fire and Rescue service, said: “We are now satisfied that these fires were started deliberately.

“There were three different seats of fire. During fire fighting operations, there were youths who were seen setting fire to grassland close by.”

A number of gorse fires have been started recently, which the Fire and Rescue service have believed to be malicious.

(JM/KMcA)

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