One person airlifted to hospital as 100 firefighters attend ‘dust explosion’ fire in Omagh

The fire service were called to the blaze at 7am on Wednesday

A person was airlifted to hospital as over 100 firefighters dealt with a “dust explosion” fire in Omagh.

The fire service were called to the blaze in the Bankmore Road area of Omagh, after receiving a call around 7am on Wednesday morning. Over 100 firefighters and 15 appliances were sent to the scene with it taking nearly 12 hours to deal with fire.

One person was taken to hospital by the air ambulance due to injuries they sustained in the incident.

A NIAS spokesperson said: “The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service received a 999 call at 07:21 on Wednesday, April 1, following reports of an incident in the Bankmore Road area, Omagh.

“NIAS dispatched one Emergency Ambulance and the Charity Air Ambulance with HEMS on board, to the scene.Following assessment and initial treatment at the scene, 1 person was taken to Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast.”

Firefighters remained at the scene into the evening with the fire being dealt with at 6.13pm.

Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) Western Area Commander David Doherty said: “The large fire at a commercial premises at Doogary West Industrial Estate, Bankmore Road, Omagh has now ended. The initial call was received at 7.19am this morning, Wednesday 1 April 2026.

“Firefighters worked tirelessly throughout the duration of the incident to bring the fire under control and prevent further spread.

“At the height of the incident over 100 Firefighters and personnel were involved in the operational response with Appliances from Omagh, Fintona, Newtownstewart, Strabane, Dromore, Irvinestown, Clogher, Castlederg, Enniskillen, Northland, Maghera, Magherafelt, Dungannon, Cookstown and Central Fire Stations, including 2 Aerial Appliances from Northland and Knock Fire Stations, 2 Water Tankers from Pomeroy and Belleek Fire Stations, 1 High-Volume Pump from Northland Fire Station, Specialist Rescue Teams from Central Fire Station and a Command Support Unit from Strabane Fire Station.

“We would like to thank the public for their patience whilst we dealt with this incident.

“The cause of the fire is believed at this stage to be accidental ignition due a dust explosion from a hopper and the incident was dealt with by 18:13pm on Wednesday 1 April 2026.”

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