LISTEN - Investigations underway after Strabane coffin maker ‘struck by lightning’

Sunday, 4 July 2021 18:33

Q Radio News/PA

An investigation is due to begin today to determine the cause of a large fire that completely destroyed a coffin makers in Strabane.

It broke out at O'Doherty's on Railway Street yesterday afternoon - as adverse weather conditions hit the north west.

One line of enquiry is that the blaze was linked to a thunder and lightning storm.

The operation has now been scaled back but crews remain at the scene.

Here's Assistant Group Commander with the fire service, Andy Russell:

A Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) Spokesperson said:

“One Fire Appliance is currently in attendance at a fire at a commercial premises on Railway Street, Strabane. It is expected that Firefighters will be in attendance for the next number of hours. The road remains closed at present. We were called to the incident at 4.10pm on Sunday 4 July 2021.

“At the height of the incident 10 Fire Appliances including 4 Specialist Vehicles, and approximately 80 Firefighters were in attendance. Firefighters wore breathing apparatus and used jets and Aerial Appliances to tackle the fire.

“The cause of the fire is under investigation.”

Update - "substantial" fire in Strabane

80 firefighters battle blaze at commercial premises

Operations expected to continue into tomorrow

The public asked to avoid the area - keep windows and doors closed

Cause is currently under investigation@NIFRSOFFICIAL: pic.twitter.com/7qQ6yAGnmF
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) July 4, 2021

Picture taken with permission from the twitter feed of @BernieMullen of the large fire that has broken out at O'Doherty and Sons Coffin and Casket manufacturers in Railway Street, Strabane, amid reports it was struck by lightning

Earlier on Sunday, the Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for the area, which mentioned a risk of lightning strikes.

It said: “There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded quickly, with damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes, hail or strong winds

“Where flooding or lightning strikes occur, there is a chance of delays and some cancellations to train and bus services.”

Derry City & Strabane District Council’s DUP mayor, Graham Warke, said the storms had brought heavy flooding in the area.

He said: “We’re dealing with a number of floods here at the moment in the city. I know there’s a major fire. It’s mad here at the minute. We’re having severe heavy rain, a lot of local flooding.”

Freak weather also hit in another part of the North West.

Flash foods in Portstewart left people shaken as surging water created holes in the road at the promenade.

Drivers were forced to turn around to avoid huge pools and a "fountain" of water, with some onlookers saying the road surface was crumbling.

🎥 Extraordinary scenes on Portstewart Promenade today - “Oh my word…the road’s actually lifting!”

Police say it's "closed due to structural damage caused by adverse weather...and is expected to remain closed for some time."

Video: Harry Cullen. pic.twitter.com/fgThE1fERJ
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) July 4, 2021