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Fire causes significant damage to football clubhouse

Tom Elliott A room is charred and blackened by fire. Cupboard doors are black from fire damage. Chairs are broken and charred. Insulation is lying on the counter tops. Paint has been stripped from the walls.Tom Elliott
The fire at Ballinamallard FC damaged three rooms, including a main club room

A football club has said it clubhouse will remain shut for an extended time after a fire caused significant damage.

The blaze at Ballinamallard FC on Saturday afternoon destroyed a store room, kitchen and the main club room.

Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service said it was alerted just before 14:00 BST and it sent four appliances.

No one was injured and it took under two hours for the fire to be brought under control.

Tom Elliott The ceiling around an open skylight is charred and black. Debris hangs from the ceiling.Tom Elliott
The fire means that the Ballinamallard FC's social club will be closed for an extended period

Former Ulster Unionist Party leader Tom Elliott is the chairperson of Ballinamallard FC in County Fermanagh.

He told BBC News NI that while the club was being set up for its 15:00 opening time on Saturday, someone smelled smoke.

"It all happened very quickly," he said.

He added that he believed that the fire was accidental.

"The fire service were very good. They got it under control and they put it out in a few hours," he said.

Tom Elliott A cupboard is black from heavy charring.Tom Elliott
The fire took over two hours to be brought under control

Elliott said the facilities would now be out of use for a significant period of time.

"We will have to speak to our insurance company and work out what it will take to get it reopened. It will be quite a while," he added.

Tom Elliott Two images of fire damage to store rooms. Cupboards are charred black. Yellow ceiling insulation is on the floor.Tom Elliott
The fire ripped through three rooms in the club house