Firefighters tackling large blaze at derelict hotel

2 hours ago 1

BBC The Antrim Arms Hotel with a red fire engine in front of it. The building is white and Antrim Arms is written in red letters above the door. There are bollards and a fence in front of it. In the background, there is water being sprayed onto part of the building where white smoke is coming from.

Firefighters are tackling a fire at the former Antrim Arms hotel in Ballycastle.

A Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) spokesperson said that currently 42 firefighters, two aerial appliances and a command support unit were at the scene.

The NIFRS said the initial call was received at 20:08 BST on Sunday.

They advised local residents to keep windows and doors closed, and members of the public are asked to avoid the area to support firefighting operations.

Antrim Arms hotel pictured behind a red and white fire and rescue service tape that says do not cross. There is a fire engine in front of the building.

Cordons were put in place around the building more than a year ago by the council over fears about its structural integrity.

An application to demolish the property, which dates back to the 1700s, was refused last year.

'A cornerstone of heritage'

Local Sinn Féin Councillor, Cara McShane, said she was "deeply concerned by the devastating fire".

"My immediate thoughts are with local residents and businesses who will be affected by this incident."

McShane said: "This is an historic building and a cornerstone of the heritage in the town.

"However the wellbeing and safety of those living in the immediate vicinity is my main concern right now."

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