Murlough fire being treated as malicious

Murlough fire being treated as malicious

3 April 2013

A FIRE started at land bordering Royal County Down Golf Club and Murlough on the outskirts of Newcastle on Sunday is likely to have been started deliberately.

Staff at the club alerted the fire service shortly before 12.30pm to the fire, which was located close to the 12th hole.

Sixteen firefighters attended the scene and they made the area safe by 2pm. The fire covered a large area of gorse but was of small intensity.

Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service District Commander, James McAllister, said the length of time to put out the fire related to the nature of the terrain.

With the deliberate starting of gorse fires in areas such as the Mournes a major problem last spring and summer, Mr. McAllister said it was likely Sunday’s fire was deliberate.