Firefighters tackle blaze at former convent building in Down

By Rebecca Black, Press Association

Sadness has been expressed following a fire at a former convent building in Downpatrick, Co Down.

Police have asked members of the public to avoid the property in the Stream Street area while firefighters tackle the blaze.

South Down SDLP MLA Colin McGrath expressed sadness that the former convent building had been “engulfed in flames”.

In a post on social media, Mr McGrath said while the building has “stood derelict for some time”, it “remains a beautiful and iconic part of our town’s skyline”, adding: “It is heartbreaking to see it like this.”

He also paid tribute to the firefighters working to contain the blaze.

A police spokesperson said: “Emergency services are currently dealing with a large fire in the Stream Street area of Downpatrick.

“Police would ask members of the public to keep away from this area to ensure everyone’s safety.”