Massive Fire Engulfs Historic Antrim Arms Hotel In Ballycastle
Firefighters are battling a major blaze at the historic Antrim Arms Hotel in Ballycastle, with emergency services mounting a large-scale response as flames take hold of the long-troubled building.
Crews were called to the scene shortly after 8pm on Sunday evening following reports of a fire at the derelict hotel in the Diamond area of the town. The incident quickly escalated, with multiple fire appliances and specialist units deployed.
Around 42 firefighters from stations in Ballycastle, Ballymoney and Portrush are involved in the operation, supported by two aerial appliances and a command support unit. Emergency services have sealed off the area as crews work to bring the fire under control.
The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service confirmed they are dealing with a blaze at a derelict premises, urging residents to keep windows and doors closed due to smoke and advising the public to avoid the area.
The building itself has been at the centre of ongoing safety concerns.
The Antrim Arms Hotel, parts of which are believed to date back more than 400 years, was declared a dangerous structure last year by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council. Falling masonry had already forced the closure of nearby streets, raising serious concerns about its condition.
Plans to demolish the building had been submitted by its owners but were refused by the council, which said there was insufficient evidence that the structure could not be preserved or restored.
The uncertainty surrounding the building had already been impacting the town, with reports earlier this year that delays over its future were holding up a £2 million regeneration project in Ballycastle.
Local Sinn Féin councillor Cara McShane said she was “deeply concerned” by the fire, adding that her immediate thoughts were with residents and businesses affected. She described the hotel as a key part of the town’s heritage but stressed that public safety must come first.
Those on the ground have described a heavy emergency presence, with parts of the town closed off and diversions already in place. The building had been causing disruption for months due to its condition, with ongoing disputes between the council and its owner over its future.
As the fire continues to burn, the full extent of the damage remains unclear. However, the blaze is likely to mark a major turning point in the long-running battle over the future of one of Ballycastle’s oldest and most controversial buildings.
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