In Bangor, County Down, a significant fire erupted at an industrial estate, but thankfully, the Northern Ireland Fire Service (NIFRS) has concluded that the incident was accidental. This fire, which took place on Friday evening, necessitated the involvement of eight fire crews who promptly responded to the emergency at Fusco Vehicle Sales located within the Balloo Industrial Estate.
By Saturday morning, after assessing the situation, NIFRS confirmed that firefighters had vacated the site by 09:20 GMT. Johnny Fusco, the owner of the now-damaged premises, expressed his relief that there were no injuries associated with the blaze. "Everyone is safe, so we’re delighted with that," he shared with BBC News NI, emphasizing that safety is the priority. "That’s the main thing. Everything's okay; everyone’s feeling okay."
Fusco also mentioned that operations will continue as normal from a neighboring business starting Monday. In a fortunate turn of events, only three cars were lost in the fire, and he acknowledged the tremendous support from the local community. "The amount of messages and support we’ve received is heartwarming," he noted, adding how grateful he was for both acquaintances and strangers who rallied to help move stock and check on everyone’s well-being.
The fire itself has been extinguished, although smoke continues to rise from the remnants within the building. Earlier in the evening, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) urged residents to steer clear of Balloo Way due to the fire's severity, and advised locals to keep their windows shut to avoid smoke inhalation. A large column of smoke visible above the industrial estate indicated the scale of the fire.
Firefighters worked diligently to combat the flames, utilizing water from elevated positions to douse the inferno. Safety cordons were established around the area to minimize public access, ensuring community safety.
Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) MLA Stephen Dunne reported feelings of "shock and concern" in the local community, while also acknowledging the widespread relief at the absence of injuries, especially given the potentially catastrophic outcome of such a substantial fire. He remarked, "We could have been looking at devastation considering the close proximity to several businesses and numerous homes in Bangor."
North Down MP Alex Easton extended his gratitude to the emergency services, stating, "I want to pay tribute to the firefighters and all emergency personnel who responded under challenging conditions." Meanwhile, Alliance Party MLA Connie Egan commended the NIFRS for their "swift and professional response," noting that their quick action prevented even greater damage. "This was a very major fire and has obviously caused significant concern for those living nearby," she said, expressing her thoughts for the Fusco team, who must be feeling incredibly distressed.
