Cordon at Primark store in Belfast narrowed- allowing neighbouring shops to open

Q Radio News

A cordon around the the burnt-out Primark store in Belfast city centre has been narrowed - to allow neighbouring shops to open this morning.

The fire service's operation at the building has also been scaled back.

It's two days since a blaze tore through the iconic building on Royal Avenue.

Some Primark staff in Belfast have been told their jobs are secure.

Dozens of staff members met with management yesterday morning at a hotel in the city to discuss their future.

Some staff said they couldn't comment on the meeting, but they were told their jobs would be secure.

Lord Mayor Deirdre Hargey says talks involving business owners and council officials are taking place in City Hall..

(Belfast Lord Mayor, councillor Deirdre Hargey)

No firm plans are in place just yet as the retailer considers how it will continue trading in the city.

Management have yet to comment on the position of staff, but praised workers and emergency services yesterday when the building was succesfully evacuated. 

Firefighters and engineers are inspecting the charred facade of the landmark Belfast building following the collapse of the internal floors.

Crews continued to battle overnight to douse the smouldering shell of the Bank Buildings after Tuesday's inferno.

Large parts of Belfast City Centre remain closed this morning after the major fire at Primark yesterday. It could take several more hours for emergency services to finish at the scene. @NIFRSOFFICIAL @PoliceServiceNI @PSNIBelfast have asked people to avoid the area where possible pic.twitter.com/w7yG7qwRhC

— David Hunter (@davidhunter7) August 29, 2018

The five-storey Primark store was engulfed in one of the biggest fires witnessed in the city in years.

Internal floors have collapsed in on each other, leaving just the sandstone facade standing.

Doubts remain over the structural integrity of the building, though there are hopes the shell could be saved.

A main section of the city centre remains sealed off to allow for detailed structural assessments throughout Wednesday.

Assistant chief fire and rescue officer Michael Graham told the Press Association the firefighting operation had been "scaled back" to six fire appliances from the 14 used by 100 crew at the height of Tuesday's blaze.

"We are currently assessing the situation with structural engineers," he added.

"There has been constant collapsing within the building and currently we are assessing the external facade to see what that looks like and how secure it is."

The chief executive of Primark, Paul Marchant, has expressed shock and sadness at the fire and moved to reassure the 300-plus workforce that have been gravely impacted, saying he will ensure they are "fully supported".

The building, which has been in the heart of Belfast's shopping district since 1787, had recently undergone a multimillion-pound refurbishment.

Roberta, who was born and bred in Belfast, holds a picture. It shows the old building, now destroyed by a fire which broke out at Primark yesterday, still being dealt with by 5 @NIFRS fire engines and crew. @qnewsdesk pic.twitter.com/42kRDjddqI

— Simon Hunter (@simezsez) August 29, 2018

Primark customers and staff were evacuated from the building at around 11am on Tuesday after smoke could be seen billowing from the roof.

Flames reaching at least 50ft could be seen right across Belfast's skyline.

The historic clock at the top of the building was engulfed in flames before the fire spread from the roof to the floors below.

The building had survived bombs and fires throughout its long history in the city.

Primark Staff @PadLockBelfast heard many of you lost personal belongings including bags and house keys during the evacuation. We will gain entry for free to all Primark staff who suffered from this fire and provide keys! @coolfm @goQradio @U105radio @bbcradioulster @BBCNewsNI

— Pad Lock Security (@PadLockBelfast) August 29, 2018

It's been a very rough day for all of us in city centre. Our hearts go out to everyone who has been affected. If anyone involved in fighting the blaze would like a drink, pints are on us. https://t.co/wsNTiiThJE pic.twitter.com/yGzDBM7jgG

— Sunflower pub (@Sunflower_Pub) August 28, 2018