Trapped residents rescued after fire in block of flats in Belfast

Seven people have been rescued from a flat complex after a motorbike was set on fire in a hallway.
By The Newsroom
Published 2nd Jan 2018, 09:01 BST
Updated 2nd Jan 2018, 15:50 BST
Seven people have been rescued from a block of flats in north Belfast after a motorcycle was set alight in the communal hallway. The alarm was raised at the Ardoyne Road flats on Tuesday. Some people were trapped in their homes by the smoke. Firefighters using breathing apparatus and ladders got them out. Picture By: Arthur Allison.Seven people have been rescued from a block of flats in north Belfast after a motorcycle was set alight in the communal hallway. The alarm was raised at the Ardoyne Road flats on Tuesday. Some people were trapped in their homes by the smoke. Firefighters using breathing apparatus and ladders got them out. Picture By: Arthur Allison.
Seven people have been rescued from a block of flats in north Belfast after a motorcycle was set alight in the communal hallway. The alarm was raised at the Ardoyne Road flats on Tuesday. Some people were trapped in their homes by the smoke. Firefighters using breathing apparatus and ladders got them out. Picture By: Arthur Allison.

Residents of the two-storey block in the Ardoyne Road in Belfast were trapped in their homes due to smoke, Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said.

The fire was reported at about 5.20am on Tuesday.

The residents had to be taken out by firefighters using ladders and breathing apparatus, while other crews fought the blaze.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad
Firefighters using breathing apparatus and ladders got them out. Picture By: Arthur Allison.Firefighters using breathing apparatus and ladders got them out. Picture By: Arthur Allison.
Firefighters using breathing apparatus and ladders got them out. Picture By: Arthur Allison.

A number of people were treated for smoke inhalation and the communal hall and doors of flats were damaged in the fire.

A NIFRS spokesman said: “The occupants were alerted early, by smoke alarms actuating in the hallway.

“NIFRS control staff reassured callers and provided lifesaving advice to those trapped until fire crews arrived on scene.”

Related topics:ResidentsBelfastNorthern Ireland Fire and Rescue ServiceNIFRS