Resident Recalls Serious Fire at East Belfast Retirement Complex
A resident describes the chaos as a fire broke out at a retirement complex in east Belfast, leading to multiple evacuations and emergency responses
Belfast, Northern Ireland, Fire, Emergency Services, Retirement Complex
The blaze caused significant concern, leading to road closures in the area. Residents were moved to a local community center set up by Belfast City Council for their safety.
Linda Stitt, a resident for nine years, shared her experience from the community center with her dog, Dolly. She mentioned that the fire alarm went off just after 4 PM.
Linda lives in one of the first flats and noticed smoke coming from above. She opened her door to help others, making tea for those who needed it. Suddenly, windows blew out from the flat above, and that’s when they realized how serious it was.
She saw emergency crews performing CPR on someone in the foyer, and three people were taken away in ambulances. The fire brigade worked hard to evacuate those who couldn’t leave on their own.
Linda praised the quick response from emergency services and the council, noting how fast they opened the community center for everyone. She also mentioned that the electricity and gas were turned off in the building due to safety concerns.
She expressed her gratitude for the fire brigade, saying they always respond promptly, even for minor incidents. Linda felt reassured knowing they were there when it mattered most.