Shoppers have been evacuated from Primark after a huge fire broke out earlier today.
Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said it had sent 11 appliances to the five-storey building in Castle Street after flames were reported at 11am.
Footage captured and posted to social media shows thick black plumes of smoke and roaring flames billowing from the top floor of Bank Buildings.
Primark said the store had been safely evacuated.
“Primark can confirm our Belfast store on Castle Street was safely evacuated today following a fire on the roof,” a statement read.
The Bank Buildings were designed by Sir Robert Taylor and construction began in 1785.
It opened as a bank in 1787 but after the bank collapsed, the building was used as the home of the Bishop of Down and Connor.
In the early 1800s, it was converted into a shop but still retains its name ‘Bank Buildings.’
