Two teenage boys were arrested and subsequently released on bail to allow for further police enquiries as the PSNI continues to investigate an arson incident at the former community-led Erne Gateway Centre on the edge of Belleek village.
Aftermath of the blaze at the former Erne Gateway Centre in Belleek.
Emergency services including the PSNI and Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) attended the incident at the derelict property on the Lough Shore Road area of Belleek, shortly after 7am on Saturday, October 14.
Six fire service appliances - two from Belleek Fire Station, one from Enniskillen Fire Station, one from Dromore Fire Station, one from Lisnaskea Fire Station and one from Ballyshannon Fire Station - attended the incident. One Aerial Appliance from Northland Fire Station was also in attendance.
A NIFRS spokesperson said: “Firefighters were called to a report of a fire at a non-residential building on Lough Shore Road in Belleek, Fermanagh. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus, used two hose reels and two jets to extinguish the fire. The cause of the fire is believed to have been deliberate ignition and the incident was dealt with by 10.37am.”
Aftermath of the blaze at the former Erne Gateway Centre in Belleek.
Sinn Féin MLA Jemma Dolan has expressed her disappointment at the burning of what was once the Erne Gateway Centre in Belleek.
The Fermanagh South Tyrone MLA, who is from Belleek, said: “The Erne Gateway Centre in Belleek was once a hive of activity.
Aftermath of the blaze at the former Erne Gateway Centre in Belleek.
“It not only offered tourist information to visitors and allowed them to hire boats to navigate the Erne-Shannon Waterway, but it also provided computer classes as part of the Belleek Connection – which I remember attending myself.
“It was community-led and funded by the International Fund for Ireland, Department for the Economy and Donegal County Council. So, it was also a pioneer of cross-Border collaboration.
“Unfortunately, the Centre has been lying vacant for some time now and has been the site for some minor acts of anti-social behaviour, but nothing to this extent.
Aftermath of the blaze at the former Erne Gateway Centre in Belleek.
“This was always something I would have loved to have seen redeveloped, as I think its prominent site is a prime location for a hotel or restaurant. So whilst I know it has been damaged by the fire, I hope it won’t put potential buyers off.
“I know there is an ongoing investigation into how the fire happened so I would appeal to anyone who has information or witnessed the blaze being started, to cooperate with the PSNI,” Ms Dolan told The Impartial Reporter.
Anyone who may have any information which could assist police, is asked to call 101, and quote reference number 368 of 14/10/23.
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