Firefighters put out gorse blaze on Slieve Donard

Firefighters have extinguished a large gorse fire on Slieve Donard Mountain near Newcastle in County Down.

About 50 firefighters were called to the scene just before 0500 BST on Friday.

Speaking while the fire was still ablaze, Area Commander Dale Ashford from the Fire Service said crews had to prevent it spreading.

"It's a major fire and as with all these type of fires because of the location access is difficult," he said.

"There is a danger of the fire spreading into forestry, which would have more severe consequences but our crews are working hard to try and prevent that.

"They're getting themselves between the fire and the forest to hopefully get that beat out as quickly as possible."

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