Firefighters have tackled a second suspected arson attack in just over a month at a derelict property on Market Street in Armagh.
The latest fire broke out on Tuesday afternoon (July 21) at around 3.40pm in the old Foresters building, an end-terraced, vacant building – the same building that has been the focus of repeated incidents over the years, including a suspected arson attack at the end of May.
Crews from Armagh, Keady and Portadown fire stations were called to the scene. Firefighters wearing breathing equipment used several hoses to bring the blaze under control before leaving the area shortly after 5pm.
The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said the fire is believed to have been started deliberately.
It follows a similar incident on Saturday, May 30, when fire crews were called shortly after 3.30pm which has been empty for many years.
On that occasion, two fire engines – from Keady and Portadown – spent over an hour at the scene. NIFRS confirmed at the time that the May fire had also been started deliberately inside the vacant INF premises.
The Market Street property has been the subject of several call-outs over the years, with local concern growing about the ongoing risk posed by the long-derelict building, both in terms of safety and as a repeated target for vandalism and suspected arson.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported in either the May or July incidents.
