Londonderry: 'Unsafe' to return to flats after fire

NIFRS said the fire was reported just before midday on Monday

An apartment block at the centre of a fire in Londonderry city centre on Monday remains unsafe, a senior firefighter has warned.

Two people were rescued from the fifth floor of the building on Lower Clarendon Street after the fire on Monday morning.

The apartment block contains nearly 50 flats and a Chinese restaurant.

Western area commander Andy Sinclair, of the fire and rescue service, said it was caused by an electrical fault.

"The premises have been affected," he said.

"There's damage to the electrics which means there's no devices, which means there's no smoke alarms.

"In our opinion, it's unsafe until those are rectified so that'll be down to the property management to sort those out, so I can't say how long that'll take for that to happen," he told The North West Today programme.

People live above the Chinese restaurant

He said that, at the height of the fire, more than 60 firefighters and 10 fire appliances were involved in the operation.

"A number of people were suffering from smoke inhalation," Mr Sinclair said.

"The smoke was spreading through the building. When that happens, people start to get disorientated and it's easy to lose your bearings so, as I say, we had crews and were able to get those people out to safety.

"We're looking at it as an accidental fire. There's nothing else to suggest otherwise."

One woman told BBC Radio Foyle she had been in her flat asleep when the fire alarm went off.

"The alarm was going off and then cut out - sometimes that alarm is faulty," she said.

"I heard someone shout outside that something was going to explode, I got up and had to pull a hoodie on. My neighbour banged on the door to get out.

"I just want to get in and see if everything is all right."

NIFRS said the fire was caused by an electrical fault

Brooke Park Leisure Centre has been opened as a rest centre for residents, Derry City and Strabane District Council said.

SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan said it was a "a very concerning time for the residents who live in this building and the business owner and staff impacted".

"My thoughts are with them as we wait to see the damage that has been caused as a result of this fire," he said.