Nearly 2,000 pupils were evacuated from two west Belfast schools today when a major fire broke out in the former Bass Ireland brewery.
Fears of asbestos particles in heavy smoke billowing from the old plant prompted the PSNI and Fire & Rescue Service to recommend a shutdown of the schools nearby on the Glen Road.
More than 1,100 pupils at St Mary Christian Brothers Grammar School were sent home, followed by 600 from the La Salle school.
The Glen Road was closed to traffic for hours and residents living in the area were urged to keep their doors and windows shut tight.
Over 70 firefighters from all over Belfast were involved in dealing with the fire in the three-storey building on the Glen Road.
The fire is believed to have started accidentally. There are no reports of any injuries or casualties and the building is currently unoccupied.
Ten fire vehicles from Belfast plus a specialist aerial appliance together with Operational Support Unit and Command Support Unit from Lisburn attended.
SDLP West Belfast Assembly Member Alex Attwood expressed his concern about the fire.
The age of the Bass Ireland building and the possible asbestos risk means that the emergency services must take all precautions to protect workers, residents and schoolchildren.
Separately this evening, People were evacuated following a major fire at a derelict building in east Belfast.
Police said the blaze broke out in the Grove Street area.
A police spokeswoman said people nearby were being evacuated.
