Ballycastle: fire at historic building was started deliberately, police say

A major fire in Ballycastle was started deliberately, it emerged today (Monday)

Some 42 firefighters have been battling the blaze which ripped through an historic building, the old Antrim Arms Hotel. in The Diamond area of the Co Antrim seaside town.

Police are treating the fire as an arson attack.

In a statement the PSNI said: "Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding a fire at a property in Castle Street, Ballycastle, on Sunday 20th April.

"The fire at the derelict hotel, which is being treated as deliberate, was reported to police shortly after 8pm on Sunday evening. Officers attended and closed a number of streets in the area while fire service personnel extinguished the fire. All streets have now re-opened.

"Enquiries into the incident are ongoing and officers would ask anyone with information about this incident, or who may have captured dash-cam or CCTV footage from the area which could help with their investigation, to call them at Coleraine on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference number 1487 19/04/26. A report can be submitted online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or you can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/"

Meanwhile, a Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said they received a call about the incident shortly after 8pm yesterday (Sunday).

“Currently 42 firefighters from stations in Ballycastle, Ballymoney and Portrush are attending,” a spokesperson said yesterday.

“Two aerial appliances, one from Northland Station and one from Springfield Station, are attending the incident along with a command support unit from Kilrea Station.

“Crews are currently working hard to bring the incident under control.

“Local residents are advised to keep windows and doors closed, and members of the public are asked to avoid the area to support firefighting operations.

“We would like to thank the public for their patience whilst we dealt with this incident.”

Sinn Fein councillor Cara McShane said the fire is at the Antrim Arms, a former hotel, which she described as a “cornerstone of heritage in the town”.

“I am deeply concerned by the devastating fire at the Antrim Arms in Ballycastle,” she said.

“My immediate thoughts are with local residents and businesses who will be affected by this incident.

“This is an historic building and a cornerstone of the heritage in the town. However the wellbeing and safety of those living in the immediate vicinity is my main concern right now.

“The health and safety of the emergency services is also paramount in tackling this blaze.”