Fire-fighters are battling two large gorse fires in County Antrim.

PICTURE MCAULEY MULTIMEDIAFire-fighters are battling two large gorse fires in County Antrim.

PICTURE MCAULEY MULTIMEDIA
Fire-fighters are battling two large gorse fires in County Antrim. PICTURE MCAULEY MULTIMEDIA

IN PICTURES: Firefighters tackle Ballycastle gorse fire

Fire-fighters have battled two large gorse fires near Ballycastle.

A number of fire appliances were at the scene of a fire on Slieveanorra (Altarichard Road) and the Island Boy Road between Ballycastle and Mosside overnight.

It is understood that up to 50 firefighters were involved in the operation to bring the two blazes under control.

Specialist units were also tasked due to the nature of the terrain.

Dry ground was said to have hampered efforts and smoke from the fire could be seen from Antrim town and Coleraine.

A Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) spokesperson said: “We are currently dealing with two significant gorse fires in our Northern Area Command, in the Altarichard Road area and the Islandboy Road area near Ballycastle.

“12 Fire Appliances and approximately 70 Firefighters from across our Northern Area Command have been deployed to deal with these incidents which are still currently ongoing.”

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