Firefighters battle major blaze at Garvagh car showroom and café

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” involving a car showroom, vehicles and adjoining café premises.

The scale of the blaze triggered a significant multi-station response, bringing fire crews from across Mid Ulster and the north coast area to Garvagh as thick smoke and flames engulfed the premises.

Large emergency response launched before dawn

At the height of the operation, 55 firefighters were involved in efforts to bring the fire under control.

A total of six fire appliances attended from Maghera, Kilrea, Dungiven, Ballymoney and Coleraine fire stations.

Specialist support vehicles were also deployed, including:

• An aerial ladder appliance from Northland Station

• A Command Support Unit from Strabane Station

• A water tanker from Dungiven Station

Firefighters used multiple firefighting jets alongside an aerial ladder jet to tackle the flames and prevent further spread across the site.

The emergency response remained ongoing for several hours before crews succeeded in bringing the incident under control shortly before 8am.

Cause believed to be deliberate

Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service confirmed the incident was resolved by 7.47am.

However, the suspected cause of the blaze is now believed to be deliberate, raising the prospect of a police investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fire.

The extent of the damage to the affected businesses and vehicles has not yet been confirmed.

A spokesperson for Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service said:

“On arrival crews were met with a developed fire involving a car showroom, vehicles and café premises. Crews utilised firefighting jets and an aerial ladder jet to resolve the incident.”

Investigations into the fire are expected to continue.