The fire service has said the fire at a Co Antrim hospital has been brought under control.
The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service were called to Whiteabbey Hospital at 11.09am on Sunday, September 28, amid reports of a fire. It was taking place at an unused building on the hospital site.
Six fire appliances, two aerial appliances, 51 firefighters, a Command Support Unit and other specialist vehicles attended the scene. In an update issued after 3pm, the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service said they remain at the scene, but operational activities are scaling down.
A spokesperson for the NIFRS said: "Following an initial call at 1109hrs on Sunday 28th September 2025, Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service are in attendance at a fire at Whiteabbey Hospital,Newtownabbey.
"NIFRS personnel are still in attendance however operational activities are scaling down.
"Members of the public are asked to please avoid the area help support firefighting operations. Local residents are advised to keep windows and doors closed."
A spokesperson for the Northern Trust, which runs the hospital, said: "The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service is currently at Whiteabbey Hospital dealing with a fire in an unused building on the hospital site.
"There is no impact on any patient services and visiting to the hospital is as normal."
Whiteabbey Hospital is located on the Doagh Road and provides care for patients requiring rehabilitation or further assessment following an acute hospital admission.
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Key Events
Unused building closed off as NIFRS tackle blaze
An unused building on the Whiteabbey Hospital site has been closed off as firefighters remain at the scene on Sunday afternoon.
NIFRS update as 'operational activity scaling down'
In a statement issued at 3.20pm, a spokesperson for the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service said: "Following an initial call at 1109hrs on Sunday 28th September 2025, Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service are in attendance at a fire at Whiteabbey Hospital, Newtownabbey.
"NIFRS personnel are still in attendance however operational activities are scaling down.
"Members of the public are asked to please avoid the area help support firefighting operations. Local residents are advised to keep windows and doors closed."
Northern Trust statement
A spokesperson for the Northern Trust said: “The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service is currently at Whiteabbey Hospital dealing with a fire in an unused building on the hospital site.
“There is no impact on any patient services and visiting to the hospital is as normal.”
Fire service remain at scene
The NIFRS remain at the scene of a fire at Whiteabbey Hospital on the Doagh Road in Newtownabbey. They have been battling the blaze for several hours.
Firefighters in breathing apparatus entered the affected building, which was boarded up and presumed derelict.
It is understood there are currently no road closures in the surrounding area.
Images from the scene
Over 50 firefighters are currently at the scene of a fire at Whiteabbey Hospital, with six fire appliances, two aerial appliances and specialist vehicles in attendance.
NIFRS statement
In a statement issued at 1.30pm, a spokesperson for the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service said: "Following an initial call at 1109hrs on Sunday 28th September 2025, Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service are in attendance at a fire at Whiteabbey Hospital, Newtownabbey.
"Six fire appliances, two aerial appliances and 51 firefighters are in attendance supported by a Command Support Unit and other specialist vehicles.
"Members of the public are asked to please avoid the area help support firefighting operations. Local residents are advised to keep windows and doors closed."
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