Seven rescued from fires in North

Seven people have been rescued in two separate fires in the North.

Four people were rescued from an hotel apartment block at Malone Mews on Sandringham Street in Belfast today.

Belfast fire service district commander Lenny Entwhistle said the fire, which started on the first and second floors, is being treated as suspicious.

Fire crews saved four people from the four-storey building, which provides self-catering for hotel guests, after fires blocked escape routes.

Three other people were rescued from fires at two neighbouring terraced houses on St Mary's Street, Newry.

Fire crews put out a blaze in the first building before being called back to tackle a fire in the second. It is not known if the two are linked.