FIREFIGHTERS have battled a 'disaster' blaze at a British Army barracks in Northern Ireland this morning.
The fire broke out at the Royal Irish Regimental Headquarters, Palace Barracks in Holyrood in Belfast shortly after 7am this morning.
Major Colin Gray, Regimental Secretary told Forces Radio that it was too early to establish the cause of the fire.
Major Gray said: "It's a bit of a disaster this morning, I got the call at about hald past 7, as I was driving into work - when the Fire Brigade were called - to let me know that Regimental Headquarters was on fire which was a slightly unbelievable phone call to take.
"Here we are looking at a building without a roof on it now.
"The fire brigade are still working on it, they haven't had any chance to investigate but that will come in time."
Thankfully, no one was injured in the blaze.
No one was injured in the blaze. (Picture: PETER MUHLY/AFP/Getty Images)Major Gray continued: "The fire started before we got into work this morning so that is something to be grateful for," he said. "It's only property that's been damaged."
The fire brigade managed to rescue some of the historical artefacts.
"It's only property that's been damaged. Two statuettes and a cigar have been brought out of the building slightly damaged but actually we'll be able to recover these pieces."
Major Gray said that luckily, the fire started in one end of the building, but the most valuable items were at the other side of the building.
"The fire started in one end of the building, which had less of our valuable artefacts and our history in it.
"The other end of the building where the really valuable regimental memorabilia was isn't quite as badly damaged.
"The fire brigade managed to get most if not all of the really important stuff out," he said.
Major Gray said there will be a 'decision process' over where the headquarters - previously located in Ballymena - will now move to.
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