Massive Fire at Commercial Premises in Armagh: Investigation Underway

Milford, County Armagh, Northern Ireland – February 21, 2026 – A large-scale fire ripped through a commercial premises in Milford, County Armagh, overnight, prompting a significant response from the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS). More than 50 firefighters were deployed to tackle the blaze, which began around 3:45 am on Ballyards Road.

Details of the Incident

Local residents reported hearing a “massive explosion” before the fire took hold, according to reports. The NIFRS mobilized crews from across Counties Armagh, Tyrone, and Down to contain the fire. Crews from Armagh, Keady, Portadown, Banbridge, Dungannon, Newtownhamilton, Lisburn, and a water tanker from Pomeroy were all dispatched to the scene.

Authorities advised residents in the vicinity to keep their windows and doors closed as a precautionary measure and urged the public to avoid the area to allow emergency services to operate effectively. As of Saturday morning, 25 firefighters remained at the scene, with operations expected to be scaled down in the coming hours .

Investigation Launched

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has launched a full investigation into the cause of the fire. Chief Inspector John Keers stated that enquiries are continuing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and appealed to anyone with information to contact the police .

NIFRS Response and Public Safety

A spokesperson for the NIFRS expressed gratitude to the public for their patience during the incident. The fire service was alerted to the blaze at 3:45 am, initiating a coordinated effort to control and extinguish the flames . The commercial premises affected has not been publicly identified at this time.

The NIFRS, along with DAERA and PSNI, are also urging the public to be vigilant during the current dry spring weather to prevent malicious fire lighting .