Skip to content

Large blaze at former convent building 'deliberate'

Stephen Barnes (Bowline Images) Drone footage from above of a red-brick building with flames inside it. The building is large and long with its roof caved in. It is surrounded by small red-brick buildings and a grey stone church beyond it. Firefighters in hi-viz protective clothing are spraying it with water. Stephen Barnes (Bowline Images)
Firefighters were called to the former Convent of Mercy on Sunday evening

The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) believe that a blaze on the site of the former Convent of Mercy in Stream Street, Downpatrick was deliberately started.

NIFRS were called to attend the fire just after 19:00 BST. At the height of the incident 70 firefighters were involved.

Crews used breathing apparatus, firefighting jets and two aerial ladder jets to tackle the fire.

A total of 10 appliances attended, supported by two aerial ladder appliances, a Command Support Unit and a water tanker.

Stephen Barnes (Bowline Images) Drone footage from above of a red-brick building with flames inside it. The building is large and long with its roof caved in. A firefighters in hi-viz protective clothing is on an aerial platform spraying it with water. Stephen Barnes (Bowline Images)
Extensive damage appears to have been caused to the roof of the building, which is not in use at the moment

The building is attached to St Patrick's Church in the town.

NIFRS said the incident was scaling back but they planned to remain at the location for a number of hours.

SDLP councillor Conor Galbraith who was at the scene said: "It doesn't look like it could spread, with most of the fire located on the building's roof, which appears to be caved in"

A priest had been ordained there on Sunday afternoon, "just hours before the blaze," he said.

He added that it was sad to see the fire in "such a historical part of our town".

Galbraith's party colleague, Colin McGrath, described the blaze as "difficult to watch".

Colin McGrath A horizon of the tops of buildings and green trees. A towering grey church spire sits above the rest of the buildings. Grey smoke is bellowing from the trees to the left of the church. Colin McGrath

"Many local people will have memories of the convent and the role it played over the years."

The South Down MLA said the building "remained a familiar part of the Downpatrick skyline".

"Seeing it go up in flames is upsetting," he added.

Sinn Féin councillor Oonagh Hanlon appealed to the Downpatrick community to avoid the area around the old Convent site.

"I hope everyone involved is safe and well, and our thoughts are with anyone affected by this incident," she said.

Police and NIFRS have also asked members of the public to keep away from the area.