WATCH: 'Deliberate' gorse fires in Co. Tyrone 'unnecessarily draw' on resources

By Connor Stringer & David Hunter

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service has warned that 'deliberate' gorse fires in Co.Tyrone are 'unnecessarily' drawing emergency services away from the front line. 

Around 56 firefighters were tasked to a major blaze outside Omagh on Thursday which spanned almost 2.5miles. 

Seven appliances responded to the scene at Barony Road, Mountfield, since around 10am. 

A spokesperson for the fire service said: "Dealing with fires such as this one, which at this stage appears to have been started deliberately, unnecessarily draws precious resources away from where they are needed most, which is protecting our community.

"NIFRS would appeal to anyone involved in starting fires such as this to please stop and think about the impact of their actions and to cease this activity immediately.

 "It is most important that we all play our part in protecting our communities during this national emergency, and to ensure that we do not expose firefighters to additional risks from Covid-19 and to add unnecessary pressures to the emergency services.

The blaze was the second of it's kind in as many days after another major gorsefire was sparked in Loughmacrory, on Wednesday night.

Several homes were evacuated as  a number of firefighters, helped by volunteers, battled the flames. 

Members of the public have been told that deliberate setting of wildfires is a criminal offence.

Pictures by Alan Lewis.