Sprinklers Save Firebombed DIY Superstore, Belfast

The BBC Northern Ireland carried this story on 15 October:

"Police appealed for keyholders to check premises. Police have warned traders in Newtownabbey to be extra vigilant after a firebomb attack on a B&Q store in the area.    The store on Mill Road sustained smoke and water damage after a fire broke out near wood in the DIY section. The sprinkler system kept the fire under control until firefighters arrived at about 2340 BST on Saturday.    

Assistant Divisional Commander Gary Allen of the NI Fire and Rescue Service said the system prevented major damage.    "We went in and found the fire and put it out. When we were looking through the material that had been burning we found one of the devices placed within a quantity of wood," he said.    "Because of the sprinklers in the B&Q premises, the fire was very, very small and we were able to deal with it quickly and stop it spreading."   

 BAFSA Member John McCann of API Vipond says that this is the third such fire and sprinkler stop involving B&Q stores in the province. A similar fire at the DIY chain's premises at Coleraine on Sunday 8th October was also controlled by the sprinkler system.