Crumlin Road Courthouse fire being treated as deliberate by police
Police are treating a fire at the historic former Crumlin Road Courthouse in North Belfast as deliberate after a major emergency service response on Monday night.
The Crumlin Road Courthouse fire broke out at the derelict listed building on Monday evening, 21 September, prompting the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) to send five fire appliances and an aerial appliance to the scene.
The Crumlin Road was closed in both directions between Agnes Street and Carlisle Circus while firefighters tackled the blaze, with members of the public asked to avoid the area.
Access to the nearby Mater Hospital remained available throughout the incident.
Crumlin Road Courthouse fire treated as deliberate
Police confirmed on Tuesday morning that the blaze is believed to have been started deliberately and an investigation is under way.
The Crumlin Road has since reopened following the emergency response.
No injuries have been reported in connection with the incident.
The latest blaze raises renewed concern about the future of one of North Belfast’s most recognisable historic buildings, which has suffered extensively from fires, vandalism and deterioration since its closure.
Six appliances deployed to historic building
NIFRS said on Monday night that five fire appliances and an aerial appliance were dealing with the incident.
Firefighters worked at the former courthouse while police established road closures around the site.
The scale of the response resulted in significant disruption along one of the principal routes through North Belfast.
NIFRS asked people to stay away from the area while firefighting operations continued.
Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service
Historic North Belfast landmark
The former courthouse is a Grade B+ listed building and was designed by prominent Belfast architect Sir Charles Lanyon.
Completed in 1850, it stands directly opposite Crumlin Road Gaol, with the two historic buildings linked by an underground passage.
The courthouse remained in use for almost 150 years before closing in June 1998.
Belfast City Council planning documents record that the building subsequently fell into disrepair following fire damage.
The building has been repeatedly targeted by fires since its closure.
Its deteriorating condition has resulted in longstanding concerns over the future of the landmark, despite a series of proposals over the years aimed at bringing it back into use.
Previous fires at the courthouse
Monday night’s incident is far from the first serious fire at the site.
A major blaze in June 2020 started in the old courtroom and required four fire appliances and an aerial appliance. That incident was also treated as deliberate.
Firefighters at the time had to protect neighbouring residential properties from hot embers generated by the blaze.
The latest suspected arson attack is therefore likely to renew questions about the security of the vacant site and the long-term preservation of the listed building.
Police enquiries into Monday night’s fire are continuing.