Community concerns after smoke seen rising from Ballymena Lidl store

Smoke was seen rising into the morning sky in the area of Lidl’s Ballymena store

Shoppers and motorists were left concerned on Wednesday morning after smoke was seen rising from the vicinity of the Lidl store on Larne Road Link in Ballymena.

The sight prompted concern locally that there may have been a fire at the supermarket, with the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service called to the area shortly after 9am.

Fire crew sent to Larne Road Link

One appliance from Ballymena Fire Station responded to the incident following a call received at 9.13am.

Despite the smoke appearing to come from the area of the Lidl store, the incident did not involve the supermarket building itself.

Firefighters were responding to a mobility scooter which had caught fire.

Crew members wearing breathing apparatus used one hose reel jet to extinguish the blaze.

The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service said the fire is believed to have been caused by accidental ignition.

The incident was dealt with by 9.22am — just nine minutes after the initial call.

No injuries have been reported.