A major fire has broken out in one of the coffin makers amid reports of a lightning strike.
The fire broke out around 4 p.m. this afternoon at O’Doherty and Sons Coffin and Casket Manufacturers on Railroad Street in Strabane, Co Tyrone.
The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said efforts to put out the fire were likely to continue into tomorrow.
About 80 firefighters were dispatched to tackle the blaze, with the public urged to avoid the area.
«NIFRS continues to deal with what has been a major fire in a commercial building, the Straban Street Railroad,» the fire service said in a statement.
“There are currently 10 pumping devices and four specialized vehicles with approximately 80 firefighters in attendance.
Operations are expected to continue until tomorrow.
«The public is asked to avoid the area due to the high level of activity and also to keep windows and doors closed.»
She said the cause of the fire is under investigation.
Local Sinn Fein Council member Michaela Boyle tweeted: «Massive fire in downtown Straban, twelve firefighters attended, please avoid the railroad area.
«Residents throughout this area of the city are keeping doors and windows closed. Please adhere to the fire service and stay away from the area.»
Sinn Fein MLA for Foyle Martina Anderson shared a video of the incident on Twitter with the caption: «Lightning strike!»
Injuries have been reported.
Earlier on Sunday, the UK Met Office issued a yellow warning for the area, which indicated a risk of lightning strikes.
«There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be inundated quickly, with damage to some buildings from flood waters, lightning, hail or strong winds,» she said.
The storms caused heavy flooding in the area, said Graham Warke, mayor of Derry City and Straban District Council.
«We’re dealing with a number of floods here at the moment in the city. I know there’s a big fire. It’s crazy here at the moment. We’ve got a lot of rain, a lot of local flooding.»
Charles O’Doherty and Sons is an independent family business that has been operating in the area for more than a century after being founded in 1908.
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