Ashvale farm shop owners left devastated after 'accidental' fire

The owners of a popular farm shop in Lisburn have spoken of their devastation after the premises was badly damaged in a fire overnight.

The blaze broke out in a storeroom at Ashvale Farm Shop on the Old Ballynahinch Road during the early hours of Wednesday.

The fire service has said it was accidental.

“I left the shop last night at 10.30pm and everything was in order and fine - this is sadly what we’ve woken up to this morning,” Julie Herron from the business told UTV.

“It’s very emotional, especially when you build something up from nothing. 

“There’s been blood, sweat and tears went into it, but in a matter of a few moments it’s just devastation. We just have to regroup and stay strong.”

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service said crews were called to a "well-developed" blaze at the site at around 6.20am.

They said the incident is ongoing but the firefighting operation has now been scaled back.

Speaking about the incident, a spokesperson said: "Firefighting conditions were challenging on arrival and crews wearing Breathing Apparatus used various water jets to prevent the fire from spreading.

"At the height of the incident approximately 45 Firefighters, 6 Fire Appliances, an Aerial Ladder Appliance, a Water Tanker and a Command Unit were in attendance.

"The incident was dealt with by 11.31am and the cause of the fire is believed to be accidental ignition.”

In a tweet, the Fire Service added: "They worked in difficult conditions to stop fire from spreading to adjoining shop."

Posting on social media, Ashvale Farm Shop said it will be closed "for the foreseeable", adding: "We will give further details in due course."