Arson suspected in tyre depot blaze
A massive fire which destroyed 5,000 tyres at a Northern Ireland industrial estate today may have been an arson attack, authorities believe.
Houses in parts of the Armagh area had electricity their cut off because of the blaze, which was next to an electricity substation.
Flames could be seen up to 20 miles away at the height of the fire.
Divisional Fire Officer Walter Johnston said the tyre depot at the Loughgall Road compound was destroyed but two buildings just feet away were saved by the seven crews who battled to extinguish the flames.
As the blaze was brought under control, Mr Johnston said: ‘‘We are working on the assumption that it was malicious.
‘‘It’s going to take us another 24 hours to fully put this out and it’s also next to an electricity substation which has been knocked out and will take two days to restore.’’
