Westlink fire: PSNI appeal after 'deliberate ignition of telecommunications mast'

Nadia Breen

24 June 2024 at 6:01 am·1-min read

PSNI have issued an appeal after 'the deliberate ignition of a telecommunications mast' in West Belfast.

At around 12.15am on Monday, June 24, police say they were advised by the NI Fire and Rescue Service that crews were battling a mast fire off Distillery Street.

Officers closed part of the city-bound Westlink for a number of hours at the time of the incident.

Sergeant Peter Tew said: “We are treating this fire, which caused extensive damage to this mast which remains upright, as arson. Our enquiries are continuing today.

"We’d ask that anyone with information or who would have dash-cam or doorbell video footage covering this area contact us on 101 quoting 17 24/06/24.

"A report can also be submitted online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/.”

The NIFRS say one appliance from Central Fire Station, one Appliance from Springfield Fire Station, and an Aerial Appliance attended the incident.

A statement added: "Firefighters were called to report of a fire on a 5G mast on Distillery Street, Belfast. Firefighters used specialist equipment to access the G mast and 1 hose reel to extinguish the fire. The cause of the fire was deliberate ignition and the incident was dealt with by 3.44am."

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