BUSINESS owners suffered heartbreak after a horror blaze destroyed a shop complex in Armagh. Heartbreak was expressed by owners after seeing their business go up in flames on Killylea Road in Armagh . The business complex consists of a Chinese restaurant, a chipper, an off-licence, a tanning salon and several flats.
Many flat owners and business staff were evacuated due to the fire, which has since been brought under control by the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service . No injuries were reported at the scene as many people who were in the building at the time managed to escape fast enough before it got too serious. It is believed that the fire broke out at one of the establishments, resulting in a horror blaze at the complex and damaging several businesses and flats.
However, it is unknown how the fire broke out at the chippers as it is currently being investigated by the police and firefighters. The chippers and the flats were reported to be badly damaged as the roof had collapsed. Several businesses have not been reported badly damaged but suffered some water damage as a result of the blaze.
The tanning salon owner took to social media to share her heartbreak at her "dream" business being badly damaged by the horror blaze. She wrote: "We are absolutely heartbroken seeing our dream and hard work being severely damaged due to the fire next door. "Shop is closed and honestly at this stage we don’t know when we will be able to access our beautiful premises and how damaged it will be.
"We are only a small family business and have worked so hard to only open up last year." The owner recently celebrated the business's first year anniversary of opening up in Armagh. The Chinese takeaway owner shared their heartbreak for seeing their fellow business owners suffer significant damage from the fire.
They wrote: "We are severely heartbroken to hear the news about our neighbours, (Cordelia's, The Wine Label, Golden Village and Sunny Spot). "It is not easy seeing all you have built crumble. We pray for you in these hard times.
We are all with you on this hard time." The police urged motorists to drive safely and should try to avoid the area as much as possible due to the blaze. A spokesperson for Police Service Northern Ireland said: "Due to a fire at the Killylea Road area of Armagh this afternoon (July 21), motorists are advised to avoid the area.
"Colleagues from Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service are in attendance and motorists should seek alternative routes.".
