Over 50 firefighters are currently tackling a major fire at a commercial premises on the Ballyards Road, near Milford, outside Armagh.
The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) received a call at around 3.45am on Saturday, with local residents reporting a “massive explosion” followed by a large blaze at a business yard in the area.
Fire crews from Armagh, Keady, Portadown, Banbridge, Dungannon, Newtownhamilton and Lisburn are at the scene working to bring the incident under control. Multiple fire engines and specialist appliances remain in attendance.
Local residents are being urged to keep windows and doors closed due to smoke in the area. Members of the public are also asked to avoid the Ballyards Road to allow firefighting operations to continue safely and to give emergency services full access.
The incident has been ongoing since around 4am and is expected to continue for some time. There are no reports of any injuries.
The cause of the fire is unknown at this stage.
Police say they are investigating the circumstances.
Chief Inspector John Keers said: “The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service remain at the scene at this time and enquiries are continuing to establish the circumstances.
“Police would appeal to anyone with any information to contact them on 101 quoting reference number 230 of 21/2/26.
“Alternatively, you can submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/ .”
Sinn Féin Councillor Ashley Mallon praised the emergency response.
The Armagh Councillor said: “The emergency services, including the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, supported by the PSNI and other first responders, responded swiftly to the incident, with over 50 firefighters attending from right across the North. I want to commend their professionalism and decisive actions.”
Councillor Mallon also urged residents to follow safety advice issued by emergency services.
She continued: “I am calling on residents to keep windows and doors closed due to smoke in the area and asking the public to avoid the Ballyards Road while emergency services continue their operations. It is welcome that there are no reports of any injuries at this time.
“We will continue working with the emergency services and keep residents and the local community updated as further information becomes available.”
SDLP Councillor Thomas O’Hanlon said: “This is a devastating incident. The local community was wakened by what appears to have been a loud explosion at a commercial property in the area. The premises is home to a long‑established, family‑run business operating in the building supply and construction sector. The impact of this fire will be felt far beyond the immediate site, by the family and staff directly affected, and by the many customers, suppliers, contractors and members of the wider construction community who rely on this business.
“The family are well known and highly respected locally, and their business plays an important role across both the private and public sectors. I am relieved that no injuries have been reported. At this stage, the cause of the fire remains unknown.”
Councillor O’Hanlon commended the swift and coordinated response of emergency services:
“I want to pay tribute to the professionalism and dedication of the firefighters and emergency personnel who responded rapidly and worked through extremely challenging conditions to bring the situation under control. Crews from Keady and Armagh were supported by colleagues and specialist teams from across the region, including from as far away as Lisburn. Their efforts, alongside the work of other first responders, have undoubtedly helped prevent further damage and ensured public safety.”
He also urged local residents to continue following official guidance:“Residents have been rightly advised to keep windows and doors closed due to smoke in the area. I would encourage everyone to continue adhering to the advice issued by emergency services and to avoid Ballyards Road while operations remain ongoing.”
