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Firefighters tackling large blaze at derelict hotel

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.BBC
The former Antrim Arms hotel in Ballycastle town centre has been a listed building since 1981

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.

Sian Mulholland standing in front of the scene looking at the camera. She is wearing a pink top and fleece and round glasses. Her hair is tied back. In the background, there are small crowds of people standing in the street.
Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland said police have closed off routes around the area

Local Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland said she was "pretty devastated".

"The fire has taken hold quite a bit in the back of the building and it's just really worrying both for the diamond area.

"But more so for just the loss of heritage and the loss of something that means so much to the people of this town," she continued.

Mulholland said that police had closed off the major routes in and out of the diamond area.

She advised anyone, particularly young people, who were gathering at the scene to go home.

"Let the police and the fire service do their job," she said.

Two firefighters aiming water from a hose onto the roof of the building.

'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."