Fire cause investigated

Fire fighters undertook a major operation at the scene

The police are trying to establish the cause of a fire which destroyed part of a factory in South Armagh.

Houses near to Clarke's Egg Factory on Upper Darkley Road in Keady had to be evacuated when fire broke out at the plant on Wednesday night.

However, householders were allowed to return to their homes a few hours later.

Eleven fire brigade appliances were brought to the scene and 55 fire fighters helped to deal with the outbreak.

Area commander Louis Jones said it was a major operation to dampen the blaze.

"On arrival we found that the ground floor of the building was well alight with an extensive fire spreading rapidly towards a three-storey section.

"We were able to contain the fire and stop it spreading to the three-storey section."