Fire cutbacks 'unsafe' says union

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Proposed cutbacks at 12 Northern Ireland fire stations are "unsafe, ill-judged and dangerous", the firefighters' union has said.

Fire Brigade Union members met on Tuesday to protest against proposals to remove one out of two red fire engines from bases in 12 rural towns.

Stations affected include Ballycastle, Kilkeel, Castlederg, Maghera, Ballymoney and Portstewart.

The proposals are being mooted by the Northern Ireland Fire Authority.

They are contained in the Fire Board Draft Consultation document.

Jim Barbour, FBU, said the authority's plans meant cover would be reduced significantly.

"If there is a fire locally, there will only be one fire engine," Mr Barbour said.

"If there is a house fire, you require two fire engines for an ordinary house fire and three if there is a person trapped.

"That means that if you have to get another engine from an adjacent town, it could take up to half an hour and the time factor is a risk.

Mr Barbour warned that the Fire Authority would not be able to reach its own standards if these cuts were implemented.