Northern Ireland

Fire that ‘completely destroyed’ derelict Enniskillen hotel investigated as arson

The former Railway Hotel had closed its doors in 2015

PACEMAKER BELFAST 11/09/2024 Police and Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) crews are at the scene of a blaze at a derelict hotel in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh. Nine appliances and more than 40 fire personnel are carrying out operations at Forthill Street. It was reported to emergency services at about 05:00 BST on Wednesday. Police said the area is likely to be closed for some time while emergency services deal with the incident. The public is being urged to avoid the scene and seek alternative routes for their journey.
Firefighters tackling Wednesday's blaze at the former Railway Hotel in Enniskillen. PICTURE: PACEMAKER
By Paul Ainsworth

Police have confirmed they are treating a fire that destroyed a derelict Enniskillen hotel as arson.

The blaze was reported at the old Railway Hotel at Forthill Street at around 5am on Wednesday morning.

Over 40 firefighters worked to bring the blaze under control throughout the day.

As the operation continued on Wednesday, NI Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) group commander Michael Curran said that although it was early in the investigation, he believed the fire may have been started deliberately.

Now police have said they are investigating the fire as being deliberate.

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A PSNI spokesperson said the building “has been completely destroyed as a result of the incident”.

The building had been damaged in a fire in March 2023 that the NIFRS said they were treating as arson.

The 20-bedroom hotel, which closed its doors in 2015, had previously operated for over 130 years.

It was placed on the market in 2018.