‘Deliberate’ fire at disused factory in Glenarm

The blaze broke out at the New Road premises on Sunday, November 29.

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Peter Johnston condemned those responsible for the incident.

He said: “Our Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service do a tremendous job to save lives and incidents like this are absolutely unacceptable.

“Their job is made more difficult, and dangerous, by mindless acts like this.

“I would appeal for anyone with information in relation to this fire to contact police.”

Fire crews from Carnlough, Larne and Belfast attended the scene on Sunday afternoon. “Firefighters wore breathing apparatus and used three jets to extinguish the fire. The incident was dealt with by 4.32pm and the cause of the fire is believed to have been deliberate ignition,” said the NIFRS.

Meanwhile, PSNI are continuing to investigate the incident. “Police spoke to an individual who has been street bailed. Enquiries are ongoing,” a spokesperson said.

Cllr Johnston continued: “Over the last number of weeks and months there has been an increase in antisocial behaviour and given the current economic challenges, vandalism of any nature impacts detrimentally on the council to deliver and maintain first-class amenities and facilities for those living and working in the borough.

“Vandalism of any kind is an attack on everyone and an unnecessary cost to the ratepayer, especially as the impact of Covid-19 continues to be felt among so many.”

Coast Road Alliance councillor Alderman Gerardine Mulvenna, who attended the scene, praised the Fire and Rescue Service for a “sterling job” bringing the blaze under control and making sure the area was safe.

“The most important thing is that nobody was hurt. It could have been fatal,” she added.

Ald Mulvenna went on to say she believed the incident was “totally random” and noted that vandalism has increased during lockdown.

Anybody with information regarding the Glenarm fire is asked to contact the PSNI.

The disused factory was a key component of redevelopment plans outlined by the council in June this year.