Emergency services are currently battling a significant oil tanker fire in Lurgan, Co. Armagh. The blaze has sent large plumes of black smoke over residential areas and has caused major disruption to local traffic near Lurgan Hospital.
Emergency Response at Mourneview Avenue
The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) was alerted to the fire at approximately 11:43 am on Friday. The incident is centered on Mourneview Avenue, located near Glenavon Football Club and in the immediate vicinity of Lurgan Hospital.
To combat the blaze, NIFRS has deployed multiple fire appliances from the following stations:
- Lurgan Fire Station
- Banbridge Fire Station
- Portadown Fire Station
Road Closures and Traffic Diversions
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has urged motorists and the public to avoid the area while crews work to contain the fire. The following roads are heavily impacted:
- Mourneview Avenue
- Tandragee Road (near Lurgan Hospital)
Diversions are in place to manage traffic flow. Drivers are advised to seek alternative routes and should expect significant delays near the hospital and the Tandragee Road area until the scene is declared safe.
Safety and Local Impact
Witnesses on social media reported seeing dense, black smoke rising over parts of the town. While the NIFRS has confirmed the incident is ongoing, there are currently no official reports of injuries or evacuations. However, the scale of the tanker fire requires extreme caution from nearby residents.
Firefighters remain on-site to tackle the blaze. Local authorities are monitoring the situation to ensure public safety and to assess any potential environmental impact from smoke or fuel leakage.
Incident Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Mourneview Avenue, Lurgan, Co. Armagh |
| Time Alerted | 11:43 am, Friday |
| Primary Cause | Oil Tanker Fire |
| Key Road Closures | Mourneview Avenue, Tandragee Road |
| Responding Agencies | NIFRS, PSNI |
