PORTRUSH: Dunluce Centre fire being treated as arson
Almost 50 firefighters tackled the blaze
Last updated 9th Aug 2022
A fire at the Dunluce Centre in Portrush is being treated as arson and it is believed access to the building was gained through a vent on the lower ground floor.
The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service attended the blaze at the premises on Sand Hill Drive shortly after 8pm last night (Monday).
Six fire appliances attended the scene, two from Portrush, two from Coleraine, one from Portstewart and one from Ballymoney.
An aerial appliance from Londonderry and a support vehicle from Kilrea were also sent to try and extinguish the flames.
In total 46 firefighters were deployed to tackle the blaze.
Police are now appealing for information and witnesses in relation to the fire.
Sergeant McCrystal said: “Shortly before 9.20pm yesterday, Monday 8th August, officers received and responded to a report of a fire at the Dunluce Centre at Sandhill Drive in the town.
“Colleagues from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service also attended the scene, and managed to extinguish the blaze, which has resulted in damage being caused to a soft play area inside the building.
“Fortunately, there no one was inside the premises at the time of the incident, and there were no reports of any injuries.
“It’s believed at this stage that the fire was started after access was gained to the building via a vent on the lower ground floor.
“Our enquiries into this incident, which we are treating as arson, are ongoing, and we are appealing to anyone who may have any information which could assist us, or who witnessed any suspicious activity in the area at the time, to contact 101, and quote reference number 2014 of 08/08/22.”
SDLP East Derry MLA Cara Hunter has described the suspected arson attack as a blow to the local community.
She said: “The community in Portrush is deeply concerned by this suspected arson attack at the site of the Dunluce Centre.
"This large blaze required nearly 50 firefighters to tackle it and we’re lucky that nobody was injured as a result of this fire.
“I am aware that anti-social behaviour has been a problem in this area for some time and it’s extremely disheartening that the situation has ended in this way.
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