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Tour owner says buses 'destroyed' as firefighters tackle blaze

Lyndsey Telford
BBC News NI
BBC A man stares at the camera in a close up shot. He has very blue eyes and short red hair. BBC
"I actually had to jump into one of the open-top buses to drive it away from the flames," Mr Allen says

The owner of a Belfast tour company has said four of his buses have been "burnt to a crisp," in a fire at an industrial estate.

Firefighters are still tackling the blaze, in Dunmurry, where the buses were parked.

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service got a call at about 21:40 GMT.

Ben Allen, of Allen's Tours based in Sandy Row, was at the scene as fire crews worked to get the blaze under control.

He told BBC News NI that two of his coaches, a double-decker and an open-top bus were "destroyed" in the fire on Wednesday.

Three fire engines sit near the scene of the fire
The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, pictured at the scene, got a call at about 21:40 GMT

The four vehicles were among a fleet of six.

"I got a call and got here as soon as I could," Mr Allen said.

"I actually had to jump into one of the open-top buses to drive it away from the flames. I managed to get that one away, but only just."

Mr Allen said he had CCTV that showed the flames as they first appeared.

The fire service said that five appliances were in attendance.