More than 40 north coast firefighters tackle fire at Ballycastle's Antrim Arms site
Firefighters from all over Northern Ireland were tasked to tackle the blaze at the derelict Antrim Arms hotel in Ballycastle on Sunday, April 19.
The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service received the initial call at 8.08pm on the Sunday evening.
Firefighters were called to reports of a ‘well-developed fire’ at the derelict hotel on Ballycastle’s Castle Street.
At the height of the incident over 42 firefighters and personnel were involved in the operational response with NIFRS appliances from Ballycastle, Ballymoney, Portrush, Kilrea and Portstewart Fire Stations attending the scene.
The operation also included two aerial appliances from Northland and Springfield Fire Stations in Derry/Londonderry and Belfast respectively. A NIFRS Command Support Unit from Kilrea Fire Station also attended.
A statement from NIFRS said: “The cause of the fire is believed to be deliberate ignition and the scene was handed over to the PSNI. Firefighters left the incident at 12.44am on Monday 20 April 2026.”