Firefighters tackling blaze at Greenisland Church

Firefighters are currently tackling a blaze at a church in Greenisland.

The Church of the Holy Name is in the Station Road area of the town.

A statement on Greenisland Parish Church's social media said that there was a "terrible fire" and that fire crews were "desperately trying to stop it from spreading to the whole building".

Alliance councillor Aaron Skinner commended the work of firefighters but described the scene as "horrendous".

Police have said the Station Road is closed to traffic while emergency services deal with the fire and have advised road users to seek alternate routes.

Cllr Skinner said the fire could not have come at a worse time with the church celebrating its 70th anniversary this weekend.

He described how those in neighbouring properties had come out of their homes and looked on at the fire in "shock".

He said that the church hall which is attached to the church building had been "destroyed" and that the full scale of the damage may not be known for hours.