County Down meat plant fire 'devastating' for firm's owners
A large fire which ripped through a meat production facility has been "devastating" for the family that owns the business.
William Corrie said he was alerted to the fire at Corries Meats on Crossnamuckley Road at around 7.15pm when his brother drove past and saw smoke coming from inside the building.
Dozens of firefighters were called to the site to control the rapidly spreading blaze.
Mr Corrie told the Press Association on Sunday: "Within the hour, the place was engulfed in flames."
The unit contains a butcher's shop, and production facilities including fridges, as well as office space. He added: "This was the core part of our infrastructure here, supply, our retail unit."
The damage was not limited to Corrie Meats as a section of the building was also used by former Ulster Rugby player Louis Ludik's company Hellbent, which makes meat products like sausages and burgers with South African flavourings.
He said: "That's destroyed as well, which is devastating for them."
Mr Corrie, who is part of the third-generation of the family business, explained it was set up by his grandfather in the 1970s.
He said that livestock in a neighbouring shed were moved away from the fire "straight away". Mr Corrie said: "Nobody hurt, everybody was okay. It's just devastating for us as a family and our staff."
He thanked his neighbours, friends and local contractors for "unbelievable support" which saw people roll in with slurry tankers and a 20,000 gallon lorry, while his father Will said the "fire service did a great job".
Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) announced on Sunday morning that the blaze had been brought under control.
Fifty-four firefighters attended with eight fire appliances, an aerial appliance, a water tanker and a command support unit.
A statement said: "The large fire in a number of sheds on the Crossnamuckley Road, Newtownards has now been brought under control. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.”
DUP leader Gavin Robinson wrote on X: "Thoughts and prayers this evening with everyone at Corrie's farm. Devastating news.”