Fire crews tackle deliberate blaze on Ormeau Road on Wednesday night

TEAMS of firefighters tackled a deliberate fire at derelict buildings on Belfast’s Ormeau Road on Wednesday night.

One of the buildings is a former doctor’s surgery were south Belfast MP Dr Alasdair McDonnell use to practice.

Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service said said the blaze at three four-storey unoccupied buildings were well developed when a 40 strong crew arrived.

Flames licked their way across the third floor of the buildings, up through to rooms in the attics, said NIFRS.

Initial reports suggest that young children may have been playing inside the buildings earlier.