A major fire at an industrial estate in Newry was accidental, the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) has said.
Around 50 firefighters with six appliances worked to control the blaze at the Greenbank Industrial Estate in the Ballinacraigh Way on Saturday.
Local farmers arrived at the industrial estate with machinery including slurry tanks to help firefighters with accessing water to douse the flames.
Fire crews remained at the scene until Sunday.
In an update on Monday, NIFRS said that following investigation, it has been concluded that the blaze was accidental.
It is understood the fire broke out at Formula Karting before spreading to two other units.
Neighbouring units belonging to furniture retail business House of Murphy and lighting showroom JR Lighting are understood to have been affected by the blaze.
In a statement posted to social media, a spokesperson for House of Murphy urged customers to “please bear with us while we try to salvage and recover”.
They added: “Thanks a million to the emergency services and farmers that helped out. We appreciate everything. The outreach of help and support has been overwhelming.”
JR Lighting also took to social media to update customers, saying that “due to unfortunate circumstances” the business would not open on Monday.
“We will post an update when we know more,” it added.
Newry Chamber of Commerce and Trade said it is “devastated for the local businesses gutted” in the fire.
In a statement on social media, chamber CEO Michael Savage said: “Our hearts go out to the long-established family businesses impacted by this blaze.
“They are devastated by what has happened and are concerned about what happens next and what the future holds for their businesses and their staff.
“I have offered the full support of the chamber team and our member businesses and we will assist in any way we can in the difficult days ahead.”
