Massive Fire breaks out at Primark store in Belfast (Pictures and Video)

Culled from BBC

Firefighters are battling a massive fire at a Primark clothing store in Belfast city centre.

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) received a report at 11:00 BST that the top floor of the five-storey commercial building was on fire, BBC reported.

Eleven appliances are at the scene and the building has been evacuated.

There are no reports of any injuries, however NIFRS have advised people to avoid Castle Street and Royal Avenue while the incident is ongoing.

The clothing giant confirmed in a tweet that all staff members were safely evacuated.

Primark can confirm our Belfast store on Castle Street was safely evacuated today (28 Aug) following a fire on the roof.

Royal Avenue has been cordoned off and pieces of debris fell from the side of the historic building.

The clothing and homeware chain is currently undergoing a major refurbishment. It is being extended along Castle Street in a project costing an estimated £30m.

The Bank Buildings were designed by Sir Robert Taylor and erected by Waddell Cunningham in 1785.

WH Lynn designed the new bank buildings in 1900. He intended it as a bridge to the 20th century, with a compromise between the classical style of the upper part of the building and the great expanse of plate glass below.

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Three bombs exploded in the Bank Buildings in 1975. A huge fire broke out shortly afterwards and damaged parts of the building.

In 1979, the Bank Buildings were taken over by the Dublin-based group Primark. Within 18 months, the store was totally refurbished and the exterior restored to its 1903 glory.

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