Four shops and a number of flats have been devastated by a blaze in Armagh.
Firefighters have spent the past number of hours battling the flames at the shops complex at Umgola.
Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, PSNI and NI Ambulance Service personnel raced to the scene at the Killylea Road.
All four businesses – including a tanning studio, Wine Label off-licence and popular takeaways, Cordelia’s and Golden Village – have sustained extensive damage. Flats over the businesses have been destroyed too.
Fire crews gained access to the rear of the property, approaching from a neighbouring house, where they used a crane to try and spray jets of water from above. The roofs of the properties were completely destroyed, collapsing inwards, and it was clear that little could be done to salvage anything, but rather simply try and bring the fire under control.
Miraculously, nobody was injured.
A number of people living in the flats – including children – were able to make good their escape after the alarm was raised.
Staff from the Northern Ireland Housing Executive also attended to help with emergency accommodation for those whose homes and belongings had been destroyed.
Neighbours and passersby told of huge plumes of smoke billowing from the shops complex as the operation was ongoing.
The Killylea Road has since reopened.
There has been no indication at this stage as to the cause of the blaze.
