Shoppers are evacuated as Primark store in historic Belfast building is gripped by huge blaze

A huge blaze has broken out at a Primark store in a historic building in the middle of Belfast.

Flames were seen shooting out from the roof of the 233 year-old Bank Buildings, which has recently undergone a refurbishment, The Daily Mail reports.

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service is currently in attendance, with 11 fire engines rushed to the scene.

Social media posts show huge plumes of black smoke above the building, which caught fire at some time around 11am. 

A Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service spokesperson said: 'NIFRS received a call at 11am today to a fire on the top floor of the Primark building.

'It is a five-storey commercial property in the Castle Street area of Belfast. Eleven appliances are in attendance. The building has been evacuated.' 

Primark added that the store was safely evacuated after a fire on the roof.

Emer Hinphey tweeted: 'Looks like a bad fire at the Primark building in Belfast City Centre.

'Seeing the Fire Fighters move across to the roof is a scary reminder of the amazing and risky job they do."