Ballinamallard United FC said a significant fire tore through its clubhouse on Saturday afternoon, leaving the building seriously damaged and forcing the club to shut the facility for the foreseeable future.
The club said five fire engines and accompanying firefighters from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service were sent to the scene as crews worked to contain and extinguish the blaze. Ballinamallard Football Club thanked the service’s personnel for their efforts and professionalism after the fire was brought under control.
Lord Elliot of Ballinamallard said the incident was devastating for the volunteers and staff who keep the club running, but stressed that no-one was injured. His remarks underline the scale of the loss: the building can be repaired, but the day-to-day base for the club is now out of use for the foreseeable future.
The fire comes as the club faces the immediate task of dealing with damage to its home while keeping its operations going without the clubhouse. For Ballinamallard United, the question now is not whether the fire was contained — it was — but how long it will take to recover from the destruction it left behind.
