A fire at a historic mill in Lisburn is being treated as “deliberate ignition”, the police have said.
The extensive fire at the Hilden Mill building in Co Antrim was extinguished by firefighters after it was reported shortly before 6:30pm on Tuesday.
More than 40 firefighters were involved at the height of the fire, with four pumps and an aerial appliance deployed to the scene.
The police have since confirmed that no one was injured and that the fire is being treated as “deliberate ignition”.
“Officers received and responded to a report of a fire at premises in the area shortly after 6.30pm,” the PSNI said.
”Our colleagues from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service attended the scene, and extinguished the blaze, which was described as extensive.
”Thankfully, there were no reports of any injuries.
”Our enquiries into the incident, which we are treating as deliberate ignition, are ongoing, and we are appealing to anyone who may have any information which might assist us, to get in touch.”
The mill, which dates back to the 18th Century, was used for linen production and closed in February 2006.
It has been abandoned since and was sold to an English developer in 2017.
Formerly the home of the Barbour Thread Factory, a section of the roof of the historic building was damaged in an arson attack in 2021.
