Man charged following Cathedral Quarter building fire

A person has been charged with arson following a fireplace at a historic constructing in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter.

More than 50 personnel have been concerned in combating the fireplace at Outdated Cathedral Constructing on Donegall Avenue from the early hours of Monday.

A Northern Eire Fireplace and Rescue Service (NIFRS) spokesperson stated they have been alerted to the blaze at 5.37am.

Firefighters tackling a blaze at a historic constructing in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter (Liam McBurney/PA)

The Police Service of Northern Eire stated an 18-year-old man would seem in courtroom in Belfast on Tuesday.

A PSNI spokesperson stated: “The person was charged with arson with intent to hazard life, housebreaking and possession of a Class B managed drug.

“As is common process, all expenses can be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.”

Tina Calder, who owns a enterprise within the constructing, on the scene of the blaze in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter (Liam McBurney/PA)

The NIFRS despatched eight fireplace home equipment from Belfast, a Command Help Unit from Lisburn, two aerial home equipment, 52 firefighters and 5 officers to the scene within the early hours of Monday.

The constructing hosts various small artistic companies.

Tina Calder, proprietor of Excalibur Press, which has workplaces within the constructing, stated: “I acquired a name this morning simply earlier than 6am. My brother is a safety guard on the Ulster College and he stated, ‘Tina, your constructing is on fireplace’.

“In fact, I sprang up, acquired a taxi, got here in and actually for about an hour-and-a-half, simply stood right here crying watching the constructing go up in flames.

Firefighters on the scene of the blaze (Northern Eire Fireplace and Rescue Service/PA)

“I used to be capable of give them keys, ring the owner and the agent, and I made contact with the opposite tenants within the constructing as a lot as doable.

“It was simply heartbreaking as I watched individuals’s studios go. One man owns a violin-making studio – it was gone. There are illustrators in there which have art work.

“We will see that our workplaces are most likely going to have important water and smoke injury. All 5 of my employees are working from residence in the present day.”

Ms Calder added: “We’ve had a beautiful outburst of assist from the group right here in Cathedral Quarter, asking what can they do to assist, and it’s simply great to see that group come collectively to assist us.”