Firefighters praised for saving home

Sixty firefighters were called to the scene of the blaze

The family owners of a power tool business destroyed by fire in County Antrim have praised firefighters who saved their home.

The blaze at the Denis Wilson of Glenavy warehouse which sells power and hand tools, destroyed property and stock valued at £2 million.

More than 60 firefighters were called to the scene - but were unable to save the building on the Moira Road.

The Wilson's home is only yards from the burned out building.

Denis Wilson said the fire service were at the scene very fast but the flames quickly got out of control.

"The windows in the house were so hot we could not put our hands on the glass inside, so we are very thankful the fire service concentrated their efforts on saving the house."

Oil-fired heater to blame

The alarm was raised by Mr Wilson after he discovered the blaze at the building about 0130 GMT on Wednesday.

It is understood to have started when an oil heater caught fire.

Divisional Fire Officer Ken McClune said they had succeeded in preventing the fire from spreading.

"We did not have water in the immediate vicinity so some of the tenders had to be sent to the village to ferry water.

He said eight firefighters in full breathing apparatus were deployed to tackle the blaze but had to be withdrawn because of the difficulties with the supply of water.

"They concentrated on preventing the fire from spreading and happily they succeeded."

The RUC have said the fire was accidental.