Firefighters from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service's Large Animal Rescue Team based in Newcastle saved 300 sheep and 30 calves from a hayshed fire on Cascum Road outside Banbridge.

The blaze started on Thursday night. The four-member specialist team arrived and led all the animals to safety.

Over 40 firefighters responded from stations in Banbridge, Dromore, Lurgan, Portadown, Ballynahinch, Rathfriland, Newtownhamilton, Newry, Cadogan, Keady, Whitla, Lisburn and Dungannon. A water tanker came from Warrenpoint Fire Station and a command support unit from Lisburn Fire Station.

Crews used a telehandler to remove hay and extinguish the fire. The cause was accidental ignition. The incident ended at 11.50am on Friday 3 April 2026.

Upper Bann DUP MP Carla Lockhart expressed relief at the rescue of the sheep. She thanked the firefighters for their swift response.

Upper Bann DUP MLA Diane Dodds also praised the firefighters' efforts and offered thoughts to the family affected.