Fire chiefs issue warning over smoke alarms

FIRE chiefs have issued a warning about smoke alarms after a blaze damaged two homes in east Belfast.

The roof of a house on the Upper Newtownards Road caught fire and the blaze spread to an adjoining dwelling.

Both premises were evacuated but no one was injured

Geoff Somerville of the Fire and Rescue Service said the smoke alarm at one of the properties had been disconnected.

“We want to remind people of the importance of having smoke alarms which are working,” he said.

An investigation is under way into the cause of the fire, but, at this stage, it is thought to have been accidental.