PSNI probing ‘deliberate’ fire at site of former NI hospital

Police are investigating an arson attack at a derelict premises at the Ardglass Road area of Downpatrick on Tuesday 9th February.
By Gemma Murray
Published 10th Feb 2021, 10:22 BST
Updated 10th Feb 2021, 10:45 BST
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The site is the old Downe Hospital in Downpatrick.

Inspector Weatherald said: “Shortly before 7:50pm, it was reported that Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service were in attendance following a fire in the building.

“It is believed that a number of rooms inside the property were damaged and the fire extinguished following the incident.

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“Enquiries are continuing and at this stage, the fire is being treated as deliberate.

“We would appeal to anyone who witnessed anything suspicious in the area at the time of the incident, to contact police on 101 quoting reference number 1750 09/02/21. A report can also be made online using our non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ . You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/ .”

A spokesman for the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service said that over the “course of the incident 9 Appliances attended including 2 Appliances from Downpatrick Fire Station, 2 Appliances from Knock Fire Station, 2 Appliances from Ballynahinch Fire Station, 1 Appliance from Newcastle Fire Station, an Aerial Appliance and a Command Support Unit”.

The statement added: “Firefighters used ladders to fight the fire externally and wore breathing apparatus to enter the building and fight the fire internally.

Firefighters battle a raging fire at the old Downe Hospital Site in Downpatrick, County Down - Credit Conor Kinahan/PACEMAKER PRESSFirefighters battle a raging fire at the old Downe Hospital Site in Downpatrick, County Down - Credit Conor Kinahan/PACEMAKER PRESS
Firefighters battle a raging fire at the old Downe Hospital Site in Downpatrick, County Down - Credit Conor Kinahan/PACEMAKER PRESS
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“They used 2 hose reel jets and 2 jets to extinguish the fire, which was confined to the ground and first floor of the building.

“The incident was dealt with by 12.20am on Wednesday 10 February and the cause of the fire is believed to have been deliberate ignition.”

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