Large blaze at former convent building 'deliberate'

A large blaze at the former Convent of Mercy in Stream Street, Downpatrick, Northern Ireland, is being treated by the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service as deliberate. Firefighters were called just after 19:00 BST and escalated their response as the incident peaked, involving 70 firefighters. Crews used breathing apparatus, firefighting jets and two aerial ladder jets, with 10 appliances attending supported by two aerial ladder appliances, a Command Support Unit and a water tanker. Operations concluded by 07:00 on Monday. The building is attached to St Patrick’s Church, and most of the fire was located on the roof, which appeared to have collapsed. Local officials said a priest was ordained there Sunday afternoon hours before the blaze. Police and NIFRS asked the public to keep away from the area during response.