Firefighting operation at Mourne Mountains being scaled back irishexaminer.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from irishexaminer.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Horrifying damage is being wreaked by one of the largest gorse fires in recent years in Northern Ireland, a Stormont minister has said.
Firefighters are spending a second day in the Mourne Mountains, battling the flames through demanding terrain.
The blaze in the Slieve Donard area started in the early hours of Friday morning.
The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service has declared a major incident and the public has been urged to stay away.
On Saturday afternoon, more than 70 firefighters and 10 fire appliances from across Northern Ireland were involved in the operation.
Dramatic images of the Co Down peak ablaze have sparked concern, with First Minister Arlene Foster tweeting: âThis is devastating and tragic. The impact on wildlife and flora is unimaginable. Full support to those battling the flames.â
Mourne Mountains fire: Live updates as firefighters escalate operation to tackle gorse blaze
Fire crews have been on the scene since Friday after a gorse fire broke out in the Slieve Donard area and started spreading
Firefighters in Northern Ireland are escalating their battle against a major gorse fire in the Mourne Mountains.
The blaze in the Slieve Donard area started in the early hours of Friday morning.
Dramatic images of the Co Down peak ablaze have sparked concern, with First Minister Arlene Foster tweeting: This is devastating and tragic. The impact on wildlife and flora is unimaginable. Full support to those battling the flames.
Car set alight on Coleraine to Derry tracks as Infrastructure Minister praises quick acting train driver belfastlive.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from belfastlive.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Sergeant Gracey said, “Shortly after 00:35 am, it was reported that a lorry had been set alight in the Drumalt Road area.
“A further three lorries parked in the area were also found set alight and damage was caused to a mobile home.
“A window of the mobile home was damaged during the incident.
“Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service, who were in attendance, extinguished the lorries on fire that were completely destroyed during the incident.
“Enquiries are continuing to establish the circumstances surrounding these incidents and we would appeal to anyone who witnessed anything suspicious in the area at the time of the incident, should contact police on 101 and quote reference number 32 08/04/21.