NEWS

Women across Northern Ireland are being encouraged to explore a career in firefighting as Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service prepares to launch a major recruitment drive for Wholetime Firefighters next month. Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) has announced a series of hands-on “Come and Try Days” aimed specifically at women interested in joining the service, offering a rare behind-the-scenes look at the demands, realities and opportunities of modern firefig

The scene on Sunday afternoon as huge plumes of smoke billowed into the sky from a blaze at a scrapyard in Titanic Quarter, Belfast (Images: Anne Kelly) A major firefighting operation is continuing in Belfast after a huge blaze broke out at a scrapyard on East Twin Road, prompting public safety warnings and a significant emergency response. Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service said 60 firefighters are currently battling the fire at Clearway Metal Recycling, where a large qu

Firefighters remain at the scene of an ongoing vehicle fire in the Glenwhirry area outside Ballymena on Friday afternoon after emergency services were called to the incident shortly before 2.40pm. Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) confirmed crews were tasked to Douglas Road, Glenwhirry, at 2.37pm on Friday 22 May 2026, with multiple appliances dispatched to tackle the blaze. The incident prompted a significant emergency response in the rural Ballymena area, wit

Carhill Cars in Garvagh The owner of a County Londonderry car showroom destroyed in a suspected arson attack has described the devastation caused to his business as “gut-wrenching”, saying the premises now need to be completely demolished and rebuilt. Liam Rafferty, owner of Carhill Cars in Garvagh, said he was left “heartbroken” after fire ripped through the business in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Despite the scale of the destruction, he said he was thankful nobody

A major fire involving a car showroom, multiple vehicles and café premises in Garvagh prompted a large-scale emergency response in the early hours of Wednesday morning, with 55 firefighters deployed to tackle the blaze. Emergency crews were called to the incident on the Carhill Road at approximately 4.30am on Wednesday 13 May after reports of a building fire. Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service said firefighters arriving at the scene were met by a “developed fire” involvin

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt and DAERA Minister Andrew Muir pictured with Firefighter Ray Glynn, Assistant Chief Fire & Rescue Officer Marcus Wright, Watch Commander Michaela Corr and Crew Commander Sheena McKieverigan from NIFRS. A major emergency response has been triggered across Northern Ireland after a series of wildfires tore through the Mourne Mountains and other areas, destroying vast stretches of land, threatening homes and placing intense pressure on frontline servi

The large, mature tree deliberately set on fire in Cullybackey. A deliberate fire at Cullybackey River Walk has drawn sharp criticism from a local councillor after emergency crews were called out to tackle what has been described as a reckless act of vandalism. Firefighters were dispatched to the scene in Cullybackey village, Ballymena, on Wednesday evening, April 29, after reports of a tree on fire in the area. The incident, which required a response from Ballymena Fire Stat

Emergency services remain under sustained pressure across the Mourne Mountains, with fresh fires breaking out and active operations now centred on Bloody Bridge and Head Road as police warn that anyone entering the area risks both their safety and the wider emergency response. Fire crews are continuing to tackle multiple incidents on Wednesday 29 April, with the situation evolving despite earlier progress at major wildfire sites earlier in the week. New fire locations draw re

A major wildfire in the Mourne Mountains that scorched an estimated 1,000 hectares has now been brought under control after a prolonged emergency response involving more than 80 firefighters, while crews remain locked in an ongoing battle against a second large blaze in Hilltown. The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) confirmed the Ballagh Road fire in Newcastle — one of the most significant incidents over the weekend — was fully dealt with by 10.08am on Tuesday

Fire crews are set to remain on the ground in the Mourne Mountains throughout the week as Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) confirmed around 95 firefighters are tackling ongoing wildfires — with a government minister warning the destruction is “soul destroying” and poses a real risk to lives and communities. The large-scale emergency response continues to focus on two major incidents at Ballagh Road in Newcastle and Sandbank Road in Hilltown, where fires that i

The scene on Saturday evening as firefighters battled multiple blazes across the Mourne Mountains in Co Down. (Photos: Patricia Williams, MeAndering Images) Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) crews are tackling multiple wildfire incidents across the Mourne Mountains, with operations continuing into Sunday as authorities warn of ongoing risk to life and property and urge the public to avoid affected areas. Firefighters remain on the ground at two key locations —

A major fire that tore through the derelict Antrim Arms building in Ballycastle on Sunday evening is now being treated as a deliberate act, police have confirmed. The blaze at the prominent Castle Street property was reported shortly after 8pm on Sunday 19 April, triggering a large-scale emergency response and leading to multiple road closures in the town centre. Police confirm fire was deliberate In an update issued on Monday 20 April, the Police Service of Northern Ireland

Image: McAuley Multimedia A major fire broke out in Ballycastle on Sunday evening, sending thick plumes of smoke across the town and prompting urgent safety warnings for residents as dozens of firefighters worked to bring the blaze under control. The incident unfolded at the derelict former Antrim Arms building in The Diamond area, with emergency services receiving the first call at 8:08pm on Sunday 19 April 2026. Firefighters battle blaze at prominent town centre site Witnes

DAERA Minister Andrew Muir pictured with PSNI Superintendent Chris Hamill and NIFRS Area Commander Ryan Thompson as the department and agencies issue a reminder about wildfire season. A stark warning has been issued to the public as authorities move to a default ‘Yellow’ wildfire risk across Northern Ireland, with officials urging vigilance to prevent a repeat of last year’s devastating blazes. The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), Northern Ire

From Ballycastle to Carryduff, communities across Northern Ireland are being urged to step forward as Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) launches a major On-Call Firefighter recruitment campaign. Branded ‘Your Town, Your Team, Your NIFRS’ , the three-week drive is seeking enthusiastic and committed individuals who live or work within five minutes of their local On-Call Fire Station — people willing to carry a pager, respond at short notice and help protect their c

(L-R) - Deputy Lord Lieutenant Mr Andrew Frazer, NIFRS Chairperson Jay Colville, Health Minister Mike Nesbitt, Shirley Torbitt, WC Tommy Torbitt, CFRO Aidan Jennings A Larne firefighter who has devoted half a century to protecting his community has been honoured for a lifetime of extraordinary public service. Watch Commander Tommy Torbitt, an On-Call Firefighter based at Larne Fire Station , has marked an exceptional 50 years of service with the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue

Northern Ireland has recorded its highest number of house fire fatalities in a quarter of a century, prompting an urgent appeal from the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) for the public to prioritise home fire safety and check on vulnerable loved ones and neighbours. Newly released figures show that 2025 saw 16 people lose their lives in house fires, the highest annual total since 1999. The data highlights stark and preventable risks, with smoking materials respo

Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) is urging households to make fire safety a year-round habit rather than a short-lived New Year’s resolution, as new figures highlight the continued risk of accidental house fires during the winter months. The appeal follows a series of tragic house fires in December and comes as data shows winter remains one of the most dangerous times of year for accidental dwelling fires, with cooking, electricity and smoking materials the lead

A man in his 40s has died following a house fire in the Waring Street area of Ballymena, police have confirmed. Emergency services were alerted to the incident shortly before 9.45am on Friday 26 December. Police officers attended the scene alongside colleagues from the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS), but the man was sadly pronounced dead at the property. In a statement, police said enquiries into the circumstances surrounding the fire are ongoing. At this stag

A woman aged in her 90s has tragically died following a fire at a residential property in Lisburn, as the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) issued an urgent home fire safety appeal after four fatal house fires across Northern Ireland in just three days. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmed officers received a report of an ongoing fire in the Tansy Road area shortly before 6.30pm on Sunday evening, December 14. Police attended alongside colleagu