Firefighters battle blaze at Lisburn's Lissue House

The blaze at the former children’s hospital was first described as “well-developed” over two floors, and police were on site, warning motorists to take care on the Ballinderry Road.

No one was in the building when the fire broke out.

“Two fire appliances from Lisburn fire station and one fire appliance each from Cadogan and Springfield fire stations have been deployed to the scene,” an NIFRS spokesperson said.

It was later reported there were eight appliances deployed as well as a Command Support Unit vehicle from Lisburn Fire Station, a high volume pumping appliance from Whitla Fire Station and a Water Tanker from Warrenpoint Fire Station.

“The VEMA Fire Appliance from Springfield Fire Station as well as the Fire Emergency Support Service vehicle are also providing assistance,” the NIFRS scpokesperson said.

Lissue House is now operating as the Livestock and Meat Commission for Northern Ireland (LMC) - an Executive Non-Departmental Public Body, which was established by Statute (The Livestock Marketing Commission Act [Northern Ireland] 1967) to assist the development of the livestock and livestock products industries.

The LMC’s sponsor body is the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).

LMC collects statutory levies from beef and sheep producers and slaughterers in Northern Ireland and in return provides a range of services to the industry. LMC also advises DAERA on matters relating to the sector.