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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Homes evacuated in factory blaze | Homes evacuated in factory blaze |
| (9 minutes later) | |
| About 100 people had to spend the night out of their homes following a suspected arson attack at a derelict factory in north Belfast. | About 100 people had to spend the night out of their homes following a suspected arson attack at a derelict factory in north Belfast. |
| The fire was discovered at the property on Sydney Street West, in the Shankill area, at about 0100 GMT. | The fire was discovered at the property on Sydney Street West, in the Shankill area, at about 0100 GMT. |
| More than 70 firefighters and eight appliances were used to bring the blaze under control. | More than 70 firefighters and eight appliances were used to bring the blaze under control. |
| A senior fire officer said the homes were so close to the fire that it was starting to melt the windows and roofs. | A senior fire officer said the homes were so close to the fire that it was starting to melt the windows and roofs. |
| Divisional Fire Officer Chris Kerr said when crews arrived the blaze was well alight and there had been a "very severe risk" of fire spreading to adjacent properties. | Divisional Fire Officer Chris Kerr said when crews arrived the blaze was well alight and there had been a "very severe risk" of fire spreading to adjacent properties. |
| Suspicious | |
| He said that thick black smoke was coming from the blaze as the factory roof was made up of wood and bitumen. | He said that thick black smoke was coming from the blaze as the factory roof was made up of wood and bitumen. |
| Residents who were moved out of their homes in Sydney Street West and Edenderry Street were taken to a community centre on the Crumlin Road. | Residents who were moved out of their homes in Sydney Street West and Edenderry Street were taken to a community centre on the Crumlin Road. |
| Many occupants have now been allowed back into their homes. | Many occupants have now been allowed back into their homes. |
| The Fire and Rescue Service said they were treating the blaze as suspicious. | The Fire and Rescue Service said they were treating the blaze as suspicious. |
| The building has been destroyed. | The building has been destroyed. |