Watch: Building engulfed in flames after 'lightning strike' in Northern Ireland

4 July 2021, 19:04 | Updated: 4 July 2021, 22:37

Fire engulfs coffin manufacturer in Strabane, Northern Ireland

Nick Hardinges

By Nick Hardinges

This is the moment a building was engulfed in a fiery inferno amid reports of a lightning strike in Strabane, Northern Ireland.

The blaze broke out on Sunday afternoon at O'Doherty and Sons Coffin and Casket manufacturers in Railway Street.

Footage posted on social media shows plumes of grey and black smoke billowing from the building while fire crews tackle the flames.

The PSNI has urged the public to avoid the area.

A statement said: "Police are advising the public that due to a fire on Railway Street in Strabane, they should avoid the area to allow emergency services to deal with the blaze.

"Our officers are at the scene, please follow their directions."

A building became engulfed in a fiery inferno amid reports it was struck by lightning
A building became engulfed in a fiery inferno amid reports it was struck by lightning. Picture: Damien Corry
The fire broke out at O'Doherty and Sons Coffin and Casket manufacturers
The fire broke out at O'Doherty and Sons Coffin and Casket manufacturers. Picture: PA

Local Sinn Fein councillor Michaela Boyle tweeted: "Massive fire in Strabane town centre twelve fire appliances in attendance, please avoid the Railway road area.

"Residents across this area of the town keep doors and windows closed. Please comply with the fire service and stay away from the area."

Sinn Fein MLA for Foyle Martina Anderson shared a video of the incident on Twitter with the caption "Struck by lightning!"

There have been no reports of injuries.

Earlier on Sunday, the Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for the area, which mentioned a risk of lightning strikes.

It said: "There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded quickly, with damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes, hail or strong winds

"Where flooding or lightning strikes occur, there is a chance of delays and some cancellations to train and bus services."

Derry City and Strabane District Council's DUP mayor, Graham Warke, said the storms had brought heavy flooding in the area.

He said: "We're dealing with a number of floods here at the moment in the city. I know there's a major fire. It's mad here at the minute. We're having severe heavy rain, a lot of local flooding."

Local Alliance party councillor Stephen Donnelly tweeted: "Deeply disturbing images emerging from Strabane town centre.

"Thankful to the fire service as they seek to bring the blaze under control, and my thoughts are with the businesses and workers impacted."

Charles O'Doherty & Sons is an independent family business that has been operating in the area for more than a century after being established in 1908.

Its website says: "The business originally built horse-drawn carts and traps and then evolved to coach building with the advent of the combustion engine.

"When coffin manufacturing was introduced the second generation continued to manage both businesses.

"Today the company concentrates solely on coffin manufacturing, providing a high level of craftsmanship quality and professionalism to all its customers."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Breaking
Price reduction. Shopping basket containing only reduced price food, England, UK

UK inflation rises to 3% as households feel the squeeze

Celebrity Sightings In Los Angeles - February 18, 2025

ASAP Rocky embraces Rihanna as US rapper found not guilty of firing gun at former friend

Trump suggests Ukraine responsible for Russian invasion as he calls on country to elect new leader

Trump demands Zelenskyy hold elections as he suggests Ukraine responsible for Russian invasion

Rick Buckler

Rick Buckler, drummer of The Jam, dies aged 69 - former bandmate Paul Weller confirms

Kitchen knives on a magnetic bar holder on the wall

Round-edged blades safer alternatives than sharp-pointed kitchen knives, research shows - in bid to tackle knife crime

A large sinkhole has forced the closure of the high street in the Surrey village of Godstone

Homes evacuated and major incident declared after 65ft sinkhole appears in Surrey village

Lydia Mugambe

United Nations judge forced woman to work as slave after tricking her to come to UK, court hears

Craig and Lindsay Foreman

Did motorbike couple's 'happiness' survey prompt arrest on spying charges in Iran?

Abdirahman Ibrahim has been convicted of murder after driving into the back of Liam Jones

Killer driver mows down e-bike rider to 'teach him lesson' for doing wheelies

The Vatican says Pope Francis is being treated for 'bilateral pneumonia'

New scans show Pope Francis has pneumonia in both lungs but Vatican says he remains ‘in good spirits’

Meghan

Meghan Markle could face 'legal action' from Spanish town as her new luxury brand logo faces resemblance to coat of arms

The father of murdered schoolgirl Sara Sharif is reportedly being protected by a 'Muslim gang'

Sara Sharif's father protected by 'Muslim gang' in jail after being attacked with jagged tuna lid

Zhenhao Zou is accused of raping three women in London and 7 in China, whilst they were unconscious

PhD student 'discussed rape role-play' with alleged victim, trial hears

Exclusive
Senior Tories including Suella Braverman and Michael Gove have criticised the judge's comments

Senior Tories blast 'out of touch' judge for 'ludicrous attack' on Starmer’s migrant remarks

Shiri Bibas and her two young sons, Ariel and Kfir, died in an airstrike, Hamas said

Bodies of youngest Israeli hostage Kfir Bibas and his brother and mother to be handed over as family ‘in turmoil’

Lisa Smith, 43, was with a female friend when she was killed outside the Three Horseshoes pub in Knockholt, Kent

Man suspected of fatally shooting wife outside pub on Valentine's Day rang friend and said 'she's dead'