Fire officers treated after chemical blaze

It took more than five hours to control the blaze

Nine fire officers have been taken to hospital following a chemical fire in Northern Ireland.

A number of cylinders and tanks exploded during a fire at three large sheds on a farm at Ardboe in County Tyrone on Tuesday.

The firefighters were treated as a precautionary measure to be checked for the effects of breathing in chemicals.

They were released from hospital on Tuesday night.

The fire totally destroyed the sheds and a large amount of equipment, including machinery, at the farm.

One of the 10 appliances at the scene

Ten fire appliances and about 50 firefighters were involved in bringing the blaze under control and officers had to use chemical protection suits.

It took the crews more than five hours to bring the fire under control.

It is not yet known how the fire started.