Newry gorse fire risks school and homes
A number of homes had to be evacuated last night, while firefighters fought a blaze near a school in County Down.
Last updated 6th May 2017
The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service said they believe it was started deliberately.
They were called to the scene near St Mary's High School just before nine on Friday evening.
60 crew fought the blaze for over five hours.
It was finally brought under control around 2am.
No one was injured in the incident but residents feared damage to their homes as the blaze spread rapidly.
Fire service group commander Brian Stanfield said: "They had to work hard in difficult conditions to bring the fire under control and extinguish the flames.
"Members of the public left their houses during the incident.''
"Nobody was injured and no buildings were damaged," he added.
The fire service attended more than 160 incidents between 6pm and 11pm on Friday night, Mr Stanfield said.
He is urging the public to heed fire safety advice to protect themselves and the countryside, after a spate of fires sparked by the dry weather
"We're appealing to everybody in the local community to be aware of the dangers and consequences of deliberate fire setting.
"It ties up vital resources from other more serious incidents and potentially puts people and property at risk."
The service is also warning of the potential of more fires as the warm weather continues.
"We're always hoping people are sensible when they're out in the countryside, when they're using barbeques to be sensible and ensuring there's no accidential fires.
"Obviously we don't want any deliberate fires either.
"But while the weather remains dry and because the vegetation in the country remains dry, there is a high risk of gorse fires."
He said the service is well prepared for the eventuality.
"We've actually done some pre-work during the year, during the winter we've worked up in the Mourne Mountains.
"We have specialist teams who have been creating fire breaks and burn backs to prevent large fires and that's ongoing work by the fire service."