Firefighters called to huge blaze at industrial estate in Bangor

The fire tore through a local car dealership in a ‘central location’ in the city

Balloo Way in Bangor, Co Down, where the fire broke out (Google Maps)

A huge fire has broken out at an industrial estate in Bangor, Northern Ireland.

Emergency services were drawn in from five different fire stations to respond to the major blaze near Balloo Way on Friday afternoon.

Thick grey smoke was seen billowing high over the Co Down city as police advised the public to avoid the area and keep windows closed.

The roof of a building was engulfed in orange flames as a fire engine worked to control the spread earlier in the day, drone photos showed.

It was not immediately clear what had caused the fire. Sources told Belfast Live it may have been caused by a boiler explosion.

Multiple local outlets were reporting that the inferno had broken out at a car dealership.

Balloo Way in Bangor, Co Down, where the fire broke out (Google Maps)

Authorities first responded just after 3.30pm and were still on the scene two hours later.

North Down MP Alex Easton paid tribute to the emergency services, writing on social media: “I am urging everyone to stay well away from Balloo industrial estate and let the PSNI and NI Fire Service deal with the situation.

“My thoughts are with [them] as they deal with this major fire and praying nobody has been injured.”

Eight crews from the fire service were on hand, joined by police vehicles. Police cordoned off the area from the top of Balloo Way.

The BBC reported that the blaze appeared to be under control by Friday evening.

Stephen Dunne, DUP MLA for North Down, told the broadcaster it was “quite a major incident” that had “caused considerable concern within the local community”.

He said the fire had broken out in a “very central location”, where “a number of employees” were based.

Several bus routes, including the 302D and 302A, were affected, according to Translink.

A police spokesperson said: "The public are advised to avoid the Balloo Way, Bangor due to a fire in the area.

“Emergency services are currently at the scene and residents are advised to keep windows closed due to smoke."

Did you see what happened? Contact james.reynolds@independent.co.uk