WATCH: Major fire at south Belfast restaurant "deliberate"

By Hannah Spratt and Gráinne Connolly

A major fire at a restaurant in south Belfast is being treated as deliberate. 

Fire crews were called to the scene on University Road shortly after 1.10am this morning and fire crews were on scene at around 1.16am. 

The restaurant affected is believed to be 'Blaze and Glaze'.

At one point, fifty-five firefighters were on scene in order to bring the blaze under control. 

Dozens of firefighters are tackling a major blaze at a restaurant on University Road in Belfast. The fire broke out around 1.15am.

Seven fire appliances and one specialist aerial appliance continue to fight the blaze this morning. Pics by @McAuleySteven. pic.twitter.com/OUeffJFC9v

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) January 21, 2020

Bad fire at a premises on University Road Belfast. @qnewsdesk pic.twitter.com/uyF6w3PAfu

— Gareth Woods (@onairwithgareth) January 21, 2020

Police say they are now treating the fire as deliberate and enquiries are continuing. 

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

“NIFRS are in attendance at an ongoing Incident on University Road, Belfast.

We received numerous calls to a 3xstorey building well alight at approximately 01:12hrs and crews were in attendance at 01:16hrs.

At the height of firefighting operations, 9 x appliances attended the incident; this included a specialist command unit and an aerial appliance.

There were a total of 55 Firefighters in attendance.

We have scaled back operations but expect to remain at the scene throughout the morning."

🎥 A major fire at a restaurant in the University Road area of Belfast appears to be under control. Some smoke still coming from ‘Blaze and Glaze’ while fire crews remain on scene. pic.twitter.com/gE7je9F1qK

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) January 21, 2020

🎥 From what I can see ‘Blaze and Glaze’ on University Road looks almost destroyed. Although the building itself is standing, the roof has fallen in and the inside appears to be gutted. Fire crews still working on scene. pic.twitter.com/LOUaY2zm0w

— Gráinne Connolly (@grainne555) January 21, 2020

Meanwhile, a PSNI spokesperson said: 

“Police were made aware of a fire at commercial premises in the University Road area of south Belfast at around 1.10 am this morning.

Officers attended immediately and evacuated nearby properties and closed a number of roads.

NIFRS personnel and police officers have been in attendance throughout the night and remain at the scene this morning.

At this stage the fire is being treated as a deliberate ignition and our enquiries are continuing.

I want to appeal to anyone who was in the University Road area of the town prior to, or around the time the fire was reported to jog their memory and think if they saw any suspicious activity, including anyone acting in a suspicious manner."