Landmark store ‘could collapse after city blaze’
STRUCTURAL engineers are examining whether the facade of the Primark Building in Belfast can be saved after a devastating fire.
Firefighters were still putting out the remnants of the blaze last night and the 331-year-old building is now completely gutted. The roof has fallen in, only its external walls and clock remain.
Engineers will today study whether the external structure can be maintained. More than 100 firefighters fought the blaze on Tuesday, drawing many thousands of litres of water from the Lagan river.
A 45-metre exclusion zone has now been created on Castle Street in case parts of the walls start to collapse.
‘Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service continues to work closely with partner agencies to bring the incident to a conclusion and protect the safety of the public and our firefighters,’ the fire service said in a statement. The cause of the city centre inferno is still unknown. The building was evacuated at around 11am on Tuesday and nobody was injured.
The fire service said engineers are currently assessing whether the historic building will have to be pulled down.
It confirmed that there was a complete collapse of all five floors of the landmark store, which was undergoing renovations to add 30,000 sq ft of floor space.
Firefighters were able to save the extension, which was not seriously damaged but the extreme heat forced them to withdraw from the concrete stairs in the main part of the building several times.
Primark union representatives met management yesterday to discuss whether the shop has any future – millions of pounds worth of stock was destroyed and it could be years before the building is rebuilt if the external walls are structurally sound.
Usdaw, which represents Primark’s staff, said employees will be paid until the end of the week.
The building is 331 years old