Carpet showroom damaged in fire

A carpet showroom in Coleraine has been extensively damaged in an overnight fire, the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service has said.

At one stage 30 firefighters were trying to put out the blaze at Small Cost Carpets on Hillman's Way.

Peter O'Reilly from the Fire and Rescue Service said the presence of asbestos in the roof of the building made the job more difficult.

He said the material could pose a hazard to fire crews.

"When an asbestos roof is involved in a fire - particularly when firefighters may be moving through broken parts of the asbestos - the asbestos can break up when dry and breathed in it could cause significant health problems in the future," he said.

"But thankfully the training we receive and the fact that a specialist hazmat (hazardous materials) officer attended from Ballymena tonight meant we were able to put in specific contingencies so at no time was any firefighter in danger."