Ballymoney: Fire at former poultry factory treated as deliberate

A huge fire at a former poultry factory in County Antrim is being treated as deliberate, police have said.

Firefighters remain at the scene of the blaze at the former Fleming Poultry farm on the Ballymena Road.

While the blaze in Ballymoney is under control and no longer being treated as a major incident, the operation is expected to continue for several hours.

More than 100 firefighters used 15 pumping appliances to tackle the blaze on Monday.

Bus services to local schools were affected.

Motorists have been advised to avoid the Ballymena Road and those living nearby have been asked to keep windows and doors closed.

There were no reports of anyone inside the property.

Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) group commander, Barry Ross, said the fire was under control but ongoing.

He said: "Arrangements have been put in place to maintain emergency response cover across Northern Ireland."

There are currently four fire appliances, two aerial appliances and one high volume pump at the scene.

Mr Ross asked people again to avoid the area and for local residents to remain in their homes.

Firefighters expect to be at the site for at least another 24 hours.

"Firefighting operations are continuing but they are now contained within the footprint of the building," NIFRS group commander, told the BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme.

"We are asking the public to stay indoors and to keep windows closed in the immediate area because of the risk of asbestos."

Police have been manning roadblocks and are also wearing protective breathing masks due to concern about possible asbestos in the air.