Larne fire: detectives hoping to speak to two males after Upper Main Street incident

A police spokesperson said: “Shortly before 6.40pm, a report was received of a fire at a derelict building in the Upper Main Street area of the town.

“Officers attended the scene together with colleagues from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, who extinguished the blaze. The town centre was closed to traffic for several hours whilst NIFRS officers brought the fire under control.

“The building was left completely destroyed as a result of the incident, and premises close by had to be evacuated whilst the NIFRS dealt with it.

“Thankfully, there were no reports of any injuries; however, the fire could easily have spread to neighbouring properties had it not been for the swift action of firefighters.

“We are treating this incident as arson, and appealing to anyone who was in the area at the time, and may have any information which could assist us with our enquiries, to contact detectives.”

Two appliances from Larne Fire Station, one appliance from Carrickfergus Fire Station, and one appliance from Ballyclare Fire Station along with one aerial appliance from Knock Fire Station attended the incident, according to NIFRS.

The PSNI spokesperson added: “As part of our ongoing investigation, we would also appeal to two young males, one of whom was wearing a red tracksuit top with red shorts, and the other who was dressed in a black and white tracksuit, who were in the area at the time, and may be able to assist us with our enquiries, to get in touch.

“The number to call is 101, quoting reference number 1522 of 15/05/24.”

You can also submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/

It is understood that the incident took place just as the Larne NIFRS crew were due to make a visit to the Mayor’s Parlour at the Town Hall.

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Gerardine Mulvenna, later visited the scene to thank the firefighters involved for their swift action in combatting the blaze.