Antrim: damage after huge blaze in industrial estate

Rathenraw Industrial Estate
Author: Nigel GouldPublished 20th Oct 2021
Last updated 20th Oct 2021

These are the charred remains after a large fire broke out at an industrial estate in Antrim.

Antrim and Newtownabbey police said they were called to the fire in Stiles Way at the Rathenraw Industrial Estate around 8.30 last night.

Rathenraw Industrial Estate

Several nearby residents and local South Antrim MLA Pam Cameron have reported on social media hearing a number of large explosions from the fire.

Roy Purvis, Group Commander at the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, told the PA news agency 38 firefighters were involved in tackling the blaze, alongside with six appliances.

Rathenraw Industrial Estate

He said it started in a single lorry on Tuesday evening before spreading to around 30 other trailers.

Foam and water jets are being used by firefighters to tackle the blaze and to bring it under control.

Antrim and Newtownabbey Police have asked residents near the estate to stay indoors and keep their windows closed due to large amounts of smoke in the area''.