Fears up to five businesses destroyed by Ballymena blaze

Significant damage has been caused by a major blaze which broke out at a furniture store in Ballymena, spreading to five other properties.

The fire started at Woodgreen Furniture on Broughshane Street at about 5pm on Tuesday and the building appears to have been gutted.

It is understood to have been well alight before emergency services arrived on the scene.

Nearly 60 firefighters had to work to bring the blaze under control.

Police say Broughshane Street will remain closed to traffic for "some time".

Local newsagent Eugene Diamond told UTV: “It’s a sad scene tonight here and there’s people who have been evacuated from their homes due to toxic fumes.

“And for traffic, Broughshane Street would be one of the main thoroughfares, so it’s a bit chaotic getting into the town.”

The cause of the fire remains unclear, but it is believed the fire first broke out in the upstairs of the furniture store.

The roof and upstairs has since completely collapsed, while the upstairs of neighbouring premises also seem particularly badly damaged.

Mr Diamond added that the businesses worst affected were all locally-owned independents.

“There are going to be people who won’t know if they have a job, which is the biggest devastation of all,” he said.

• WATCH: UTV's Sarah Clarke reports from the scene of the fire in Ballymena