Latest news with #NorthernIrelandFireService
Belfast Telegraph
11-06-2025
- Belfast Telegraph
Burning of 5G masts ‘reckless and destructive' says MP as fire service tackles second Belfast blaze in a week
The PSNI and Northern Ireland Fire Service responded to reports of a fire in the Stewartstown Road area shortly before 12:30am on Wednesday, June 11. Emergency services also responded to reports of a separate 5G mast fire in the Poleglass area over the weekend. Sergeant Burns said: "We attended this alongside colleagues from Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service who worked to extinguish the blaze of a 5G mast tower which had been set alight deliberately. "This is just one of a number of 5G masts that have been set on fire in recent months and we have attended two fires in less than a week to masts in the same area.' Sinn Féin MP Paul Maskey called on those responsible to stop 'harming our community'. 'Those involved in targeting vital infrastructure in west Belfast must end this reckless and destructive behaviour," said the West Belfast MP. 'They are causing serious harm to our community and putting lives at risk. 'This is happening at a time when there is a clear and growing demand for better connectivity, with thousands of residents reporting poor mobile signal. 'I'm in London today to make the case directly to network providers that urgent investment is needed to upgrade infrastructure in areas that have been left behind. 'These disgraceful actions will not deter us from our campaign to secure better mobile coverage for our communities. Anyone with information should contact the PSNI." Sergeant Burns said that those setting 5G masts alight are putting themselves and members of the public at risk. He added: "I cannot stress enough how dangerous it is lighting fire to electrical equipment. Anyone setting an illegal fire is acting extremely recklessly and putting not only themselves, but also members of the public, at risk. 'The damage caused costs the mast-owners a substantial amount of money to correct, and affects the mobile phone service of the local community." News Catch Up - Wednesday 11th June 2025 Yesterday's attack brings the total number of 5G masts destroyed in the west Belfast area over the past two years to more than thirteen. It follows a 5G mast in the Poleglass area being set alight at the weekend. Two fire appliances and an aerial platform were tasked to the blaze in the Springbank Industrial estate in west Belfast at around 2.30pm on Saturday. A survey carried out by Sinn Féin, published in the Andersonstown News in May, revealed that 87 percent of people in west Belfast reported that their phone signal was poor or very poor. Only three percent of the 2,600 respondents stated their signal was good or excellent. The report listed the top three areas for poor signal across West Belfast as being the Glen Road, Turf Lodge, and Andersonstown areas. A police investigation into the attacks on 5G masts remains ongoing.
Belfast Telegraph
11-06-2025
- Belfast Telegraph
Firefighters battle second west Belfast 5G mast fire in a week: ‘I cannot stress enough how dangerous it is'
The PSNI and Northern Ireland Fire Service responded to reports of a fire in the Stewartstown Road area shortly before 12:30am on Wednesday, June 11. Sergeant Burns said: "We attended this alongside colleagues from Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service who worked to extinguish the blaze of a 5G mast tower which had been set alight deliberately. "This is just one of a number of 5G masts that have been set on fire in recent months and we have attended two fires in less than a week to masts in the same area.' Sergeant Burns said those setting 5G masts alight are putting themselves and members of the public at risk. He added: "I cannot stress enough how dangerous it is lighting fire to electrical equipment. Anyone setting an illegal fire is acting extremely recklessly and putting not only themselves, but also members of the public, at risk. 'The damage caused costs the mast-owners a substantial amount of money to correct, and affects the mobile phone service of the local community." News Catch Up - Wednesday 11th June 2025 The attack brings the total number of 5G masts destroyed in the west Belfast area over the past two years to more than thirteen. It follows a 5G mast in the Poleglass area being set alight at the weekend. Two fire appliances and an aerial platform were tasked to the blaze in the Springbank Industrial estate in west Belfast at around 2.30pm on Saturday. A survey carried out by Sinn Féin, published in the Andersonstown News in May, revealed that 87 percent of people in west Belfast reported that their phone signal was poor or very poor. Only three percent of the 2,600 respondents stated their signal was good or excellent. The report listed the top three areas for poor signal across West Belfast as being the Glen Road, Turf Lodge, and Andersonstown areas. A police investigation into the attacks on 5G masts remains ongoing.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Yahoo
Play park arson attack 'sickening', says mother
An arson attack on a play park has been condemned as "sickening" by a mother who campaigned for it to include play equipment for disabled children. Claire McGill, a mother-of-three, said she was "shocked and sickened" after arsonists set fire to equipment at the play park in Strathfoyle, County Londonderry, on Wednesday evening. Her daughter, Sianon, who is a wheelchair-user with special needs, is among the children who use the park. The police confirmed that the fire on Wednesday night is being treated as arson. The play park is a popular spot for young families in the area, following years of campaigning by residents' groups for the facility. Residents, including Claire McGill, had successfully campaigned for disabled-friendly play equipment to be installed in 2022, after it was not included in the original plans. "It's just heartbreaking as a mum, because my kids, like many others, use the park regularly," she said. "I have a daughter with special needs, and all my kids use the park — it's a place we all go. "It's the kids across the whole area who are going to suffer from this sort of thing." Ms McGill said the arson attack was especially disappointing as it had been carried out in the run-up to summer. "This is meant to be a safe place for them to have fun. It's sad that this has happened and it's a shame for all the kids of Strathfoyle." The Northern Ireland Fire Service (NIFRS) said they were called to reports of a slide on fire at the park in the Beechwood Park area of Strathfoyle. They also confirmed it had been started deliberately. The park closed on Thursday, Derry City and Strabane District Council said, adding that substantial damage had been caused to some sections of the play area. The city's mayor Lilian Seenoi Barr said she was "appalled by this senseless act of vandalism". "The council is committed to restoring the park as quickly as possible and will keep the public informed of progress," Seenoi Barr added. The SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan condemned it as an attack on the local community. He also thanked firefighters whose swift response helped to limit the extent of the damage, and urged anyone with information to contact the police. "It's been so busy the last couple of weeks with the weather being so good," Durkan told BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today programme. "This park in Strathfoyle was hard fought for and it has been much-loved for many years." He said it "defies belief" that anyone would consider it acceptable or tolerable to set part of it on fire.
Belfast Telegraph
10-05-2025
- Climate
- Belfast Telegraph
Minister urges public to remain ‘extra vigilant' as blaze rages through NI special area of conservation
Firefighters remain at the scene of a large gorse fire in the Ballagh Road area of Clogher which broke out on Wednesday afternoon. Ten fire appliances and approximately 50 firefighters are in attendance at the ongoing incident which has since spread to Co Monaghan. The blaze has since extended into a special area of conservation for the endangered species of Hen Harriers which nest in the blanket bog near Slieve Beagh. Minister Muir pointed to the 'extensive' damage caused being caused and called for the public to 'heed the elevated hazard warning' which was issued by the Northern Ireland Fire Service (NIFRS) and PSNI. The North Down MLA said: 'The current fire near Clogher is another stark reminder on how quickly they can spread, creating significant risk to life and property while causing extensive environmental damage. 'The fire in Counties Tyrone and Monaghan has torn through approximately a third of a precious protected site which includes a Special Area of Conservation for the endangered Hen Harrier during nesting season as well as important blanket bog habitat. 'With the current conditions set to last into the weekend and beyond I plead with everyone to heed the elevated hazard warning issued, remain extra vigilant to fires in our countryside and report to the Police or Crimestoppers anyone you know involved in deliberate and malicious fires. 'Those who know the individuals involved must come forward and help us apprehend the culprits wreaking destruction across our countryside.' Minister Muir added: 'Once ignited, fire can spread rapidly, especially in areas with dead grasses, gorse, forestry and heather. "Large areas can become engulfed in a very short period of time putting life, property and wildlife at real risk. This activity must stop before someone is killed or injured.' NIFRS Area Commander Barry Ross also urged the public to enjoy the warm spell of weather responsibly. He said: 'With the dry weather set to continue over the next few days we are asking the public to support their Firefighters by staying safe from fire in the countryside. "Dealing with wildfires is not only challenging and physically demanding for our Firefighters, it is extremely resource intensive for our Service and partner agencies. If you are enjoying the weather this weekend, please do so responsibly and follow our safety advice.' PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson added: 'Gorse fires have the potential to cause widespread damage to the environment and harm to wildlife, as well as threatening homes, farms and the people living in those areas. 'The unpredictability of fire can also mean that those causing them may be putting their own lives at risk as well as the lives of the fire service personnel and other emergency services tasked to deal with them. 'I would remind the public that deliberate setting of wildfires is a criminal offence and if you see anyone setting a fire you should contact us immediately. 'Anyone caught deliberately setting a wildfire will be prosecuted to the full extend that the law allows.'
Belfast Telegraph
09-05-2025
- Climate
- Belfast Telegraph
Minister urges public to remain ‘extra vigilant' as Co Tyrone blaze rages through special area of conservation
Firefighters remain at the scene of a large gorse fire in the Ballagh Road area of Clogher which broke out on Wednesday afternoon. Ten fire appliances and approximately 50 firefighters are in attendance at the ongoing incident which has since spread to Co Monaghan. The blaze has since extended into a special area of conservation for the endangered species of Hen Harriers which nest in the blanket bog near Slieve Beagh. Minister Muir pointed to the 'extensive' damage caused being caused and called for the public to 'heed the elevated hazard warning' which was issued by the Northern Ireland Fire Service (NIFRS) and PSNI. The North Down MLA said: 'The current fire near Clogher is another stark reminder on how quickly they can spread, creating significant risk to life and property while causing extensive environmental damage. 'The fire in Counties Tyrone and Monaghan has torn through approximately a third of a precious protected site which includes a Special Area of Conservation for the endangered Hen Harrier during nesting season as well as important blanket bog habitat. 'With the current conditions set to last into the weekend and beyond I plead with everyone to heed the elevated hazard warning issued, remain extra vigilant to fires in our countryside and report to the Police or Crimestoppers anyone you know involved in deliberate and malicious fires. 'Those who know the individuals involved must come forward and help us apprehend the culprits wreaking destruction across our countryside.' Minister Muir added: 'Once ignited, fire can spread rapidly, especially in areas with dead grasses, gorse, forestry and heather. "Large areas can become engulfed in a very short period of time putting life, property and wildlife at real risk. This activity must stop before someone is killed or injured.' NIFRS Area Commander Barry Ross also urged the public to enjoy the warm spell of weather responsibly. He said: 'With the dry weather set to continue over the next few days we are asking the public to support their Firefighters by staying safe from fire in the countryside. "Dealing with wildfires is not only challenging and physically demanding for our Firefighters, it is extremely resource intensive for our Service and partner agencies. If you are enjoying the weather this weekend, please do so responsibly and follow our safety advice.' PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson added: 'Gorse fires have the potential to cause widespread damage to the environment and harm to wildlife, as well as threatening homes, farms and the people living in those areas. 'The unpredictability of fire can also mean that those causing them may be putting their own lives at risk as well as the lives of the fire service personnel and other emergency services tasked to deal with them. 'I would remind the public that deliberate setting of wildfires is a criminal offence and if you see anyone setting a fire you should contact us immediately. 'Anyone caught deliberately setting a wildfire will be prosecuted to the full extend that the law allows.'
