Derelict property fire in Lurgan, Northern Ireland started deliberately

The Northern Ireland Fire Service have decreed that a fire which started in a derelict property in Lurgan, County Armagh, was started intentionally.
The town high street has now reopened following the fire, which broke out on the 26th November, with firefighters being called out to the fire at around 04:30, according to the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service Group Commander, Max Joyce.
Initially, it had been reported that a bin or some rubbish was on fire, however it rapidly spread to the roof.
​Speaking about the fire, Joyce explained how assistance was sought after from other stations due to the nature of it, while condemning those who started the fire.
“It is an old property with a complex layout and the fire spread quickly,” Joyce said.
“We asked for assistance from other stations which meant we had pumps from Dromore, Banbridge and a support unit from Lisburn, and two aerial platforms, one from Belfast and one from Portadown.
“The people who set the fire put fire fighters lives, and the lives of the public, at extreme risk.”
Adding further comment, Joyce said that it was a rather large-scale operation, with 33 firefighters getting actively involved to prevent the fire spreading to other buildings.