Fire at Ballyboley Road club '˜deliberate': police

The blaze occurred at a barn on a disused farm at Ballyboley Road on Wednesday June 15, and was in one of a number of buildings used by The Farm Airsoft Club.

The club has since been forced to close due to the damage, and has reported that a number of its possessions have been destroyed.

The fire was reported at around 8.50pm on Wednesday evening, and police say that enquiries into the incident are ongoing.

A Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service spokesperson said that two fire appliances from Larne Fire Station had attended the incident.

A spokesperson stated: “Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) received a call at 8:19pm to a report of a fire at derelict premises at the Ballyboley Road area of Larne on Wednesday June 15.

“Two fire appliances from Larne Fire Station were deployed to the scene of a large derelict barn on fire in the area.

“Firefighters using two jets, one hose reel jet and an extension ladder dealt with the fire.

“Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service finished at the scene at 9:45pm and the fire is being treated as deliberate.”

Meanwhile, the organisers of The Farm Airsoft Club posted a message on social media to advise clients they would be unable to operate the business.

It stated: “As for the farm we will know later if we will still be operating once we get a risk assessment done so until further notice we are CLOSED.”

Replying to messages of support regarding the restoration of the barn on social media, an organiser acknowledged that there would be “a lot of work to do to fix it up.”

Police have asked anyone with information to contact officers at Larne on 101 quoting reference 1185 15/06/16.