On Sunday, at 20:30 BST the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue service received a report regarding the fire had broken out in Donard Forest. More than 50 firefighters are battling to control that blaze on the Mourne Mountains in Country Down.
In all eight appliances were at the scene and residents of Tullybrannigan Road were forced to leave their houses, as well as numerous buses, were brought for assistance. Jim Beattoe was in that area when the fire broke out and had a caravan in Bonny’s Caravan Park. He supposed that the fire had spread so quickly and it was unbelievable.
He added ‘it was at the edge of the house when it diverted, and there were about five fire crews which I could see, and they had started to evacuate the homes. We actually don’t know where people are being told to go, and there is no sense of panic, but residents are automatically concerned as it was not told where to go, but merely to get out.
However, the Newcastle City Center, which is the city’s entertainment center is open for all people evacuated because of fire. About 200 people are in the center, and the majority of whom are staying at Bonny’s Caravan Park.
