A number of people have been treated in hospital following a fire at a residential complex in East Belfast.
The fire broke out at Inverary Fold on Inverary Drive at around 5pm on Saturday. Two people had to be rescued by firefighters following the blaze while three other people were also led to safety from neighbouring flats in the Sydenham area.
The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service has confirmed that the cause of the fire was believed to be accidental. The NIFRS said seven fire appliances and a support appliance attended the scene along with a support appliance from Knock, Whitla, Holywood and Lisburn fire stations.
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They were supported by colleagues from PSNI & NI Ambulance Service. The fire was later extinguished and the incident dealt with at 9:29pm.
Inverary Avenue and Inverary Drive in east Belfast was closed for a time on Saturday evening due to the fire and drivers were being asked to please seek an alternative route.
Residents of the retirement housing complex were taken to safety at a local community centre, which was opened by Belfast City Council workers. Most were later able to return to their homes.
Inverary Fold in east Belfast where there was a fire on Saturday afternoon.
(Image: Jonathan Porter/PressEye)
In a statement on Sunday afternoon, a spokesperson for Radius Housing said “We are grateful to the NI Fire Service and other emergency services for how quickly and efficiently they responded to the fire, and ensuring that all tenants were safely evacuated from the building. We are also grateful to Belfast City Council, elected representatives and the wider community for the support provided to tenants who had to leave their homes.
“Radius staff were on site throughout yesterday evening and again this morning to begin a deep clean of the building. Most tenants were able to return to their homes on Saturday evening and Radius staff will be supporting them during this difficult period.
“A number of tenants were treated in hospital, and we hope they are able to make a full recovery.”
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