More than 50 firefighters tackled a fire at Corries Meats, a family-run farm shop on Crossnamuckley Road in Newtownards. The blaze started around 7.15pm on Saturday.

Owner William Corrie received a call from his brother about smoke from one of the buildings. His brother had alerted the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service. Corrie arrived to see smoke and flames from the side of the building.

The fire spread to most of the building within an hour. Firefighters prioritised saving the main dwelling house where Corrie's parents live.

Neighbours assisted by driving slurry tankers and a lorry with a water tank to the site. Corrie described the firefighting effort as an unbelievable operation and noted support from people he did not know.

Corries Meats is a third-generation family business started by Corrie's grandfather in the early 1970s. Corrie's father took it over before William Corrie stepped in years ago. Staff have worked there since leaving school.

The farm has hosted Fun on the Farm events that raised thousands of pounds for charities including the Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children, Marie Curie and the Northern Ireland Hospice.