300 sheep have been removed from a hay shed in Co. Down were a fire broke out last night (Thursday, April 2).
In a social media post, Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said that the large fire in Banbridge is currently ongoing as of this morning (Friday, April 3) and that firefighting operations at the site are likely to continue for “some time”.
The fire broke out at a property on Cascum Road, to the south of the Co. Down town.
The alarm was raised just after 9:00p.m last night. Over 40 personnel and six fire engines have been working to extinguish the fire.
The NIFRS said that 300 sheep were removed to safety by the service’s Large Animal Rescue Team, which is based in Newcastle, Co. Down.
The service said that the hay itself is on fire, and that this hay was removed by a telehandler as part of the efforts to tackle the blaze.
The social media post from the NIFRS, which was posted this morning, confirmed: “A large fire is ongoing at a hay shed at Cascum Road, Banbridge. The initial call was received at 9:03p.m, Thursday, April 2.
“Initially, 300 sheep in the shed were led to safety by NIFRS Large Animal Rescue Team from Newcastle,” the post said.
It added: “The fire is in hay, which is being removed by a telehandler to help extinguish the fire.
“Over 40 firefighters and six fire appliances have been working through the night to bring it under control,” the NIFRS said.
“Operations will continue for some time,” the social media post noted.
Calves rescued from slurry pit
This is the second time in recent weeks that the NIFRS was involved in animal rescue.
Firefighters came to the rescue on a farm in Co. Fermanagh after two calves had to be saved from a slurry pit in early March.
Emergency services attended the scene, which was on a farm on the Belturbet Road in Derrylin, at around 7:00p.m.
NIFRS deployed two appliances from the Lisnaskea Fire Station and two specialist rescue teams from the Central Fire Station to attend the scene.
An animal rescue team from Omagh Fire Station was also present to offer their expertise and assist with rescuing the calves from the slurry pit.