PSNI investigating 'deliberate ignition' of fire at derelict historic Antrim Arms hotel in Ballycastle

This morning a statement from the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) said: “The fire at a derelict premise at The Diamond, Ballycastle has now ended. The initial call was received at 8.08pm last night, Sunday 19 April 2026.

“Firefighters were called to reports of a well-developed fire at a derelict premise.

"At the height of the incident over 42 Firefighters and personnel were involved in the operational response with Appliances from Ballycastle, Ballymoney, Portrush, Kilrea and Portstewart Fire Stations, including 2 Aerial Appliances from Northland and Springfield Fire Stations and a Command Support Unit from Kilrea Fire Station.”

The statement added that “the cause of the fire is believed to be deliberate ignition and the scene was handed over to the PSNI”.

Meanwhile firefighters left the incident at 12.44am on Monday 20 April.

Earlier another NIFRS spokesman said that firefighters from Ballycastle, Ballymoney and Portrush were attending and two aerial appliances, one from Northland Station and one from Springfield Station, along with a command support unit from Kilrea Station.

They thanked the public for their patience whilst firefighters dealt with the fire.

Earlier a PSNI spokesman said they were investigating the circumstances surrounding a fire at the property in Castle Street, Ballycastle, on Sunday 20th April.

The PSNI statement adds that the fire at the derelict hotel, which is being treated as deliberate, was reported to police shortly after 8pm on Sunday evening.

Enquiries into the incident are ongoing and officers would ask anyone with information about this incident, or who may have captured dash-cam or CCTV footage from the area which could help with their investigation, to call them at Coleraine on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference number 1487 19/04/26.

A report can be submitted online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or you can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 1

Sinn Fein councillor Cara McShane said the fire is at the Antrim Arms, a former hotel, which she described as a “cornerstone of heritage in the town”.

“I am deeply concerned by the devastating fire at the Antrim Arms in Ballycastle,” she said.

“My immediate thoughts are with local residents and businesses who will be affected by this incident.

“This is an historic building and a cornerstone of the heritage in the town. However the wellbeing and safety of those living in the immediate vicinity is my main concern right now.

“The health and safety of the emergency services is also paramount in tackling this blaze.”

Cordons were put in place around the building more than a year ago by the council over fears about its structural integrity.

An application to demolish the property, which dates back to the 1700s, was refused last year.

Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland said police closed off routes around the area

Local Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland said she was "pretty devastated".

"The fire has taken hold quite a bit in the back of the building and it's just really worrying both for the Diamond area, but more so for just the loss of heritage and the loss of something that means so much to the people of this town," she added.

11 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/