Fire officers in Northern Ireland are continuing an investigation into a warehouse fire which destroyed 2,000 tonnes of newsprint at the container port in Warrenpoint, Co Down, at the weekend.
The divisional fire officer for Co Down, Mr Jack Kennedy, said there was a "doubtful ignition" in the premises of Jenkins Shipping Company, but further forensic results were needed before the cause could be declared.
There has been an industrial dispute at the company in recent weeks with 24 members of staff dismissed following the sacking of another employee. The managing director of the company, Mr Walter Jenkins, said the fire was a tragedy for the company, its employees and Warrenpoint Harbour. The company supplies newsprint in the North.
Estimates for damage range from £5 million to £8 million. At the height of the blaze, in the early hours of Saturday morning, the flames could be seen from the entire Carlingford Lough area. Eight fire crews fought the blaze but the warehouse and its contents were entirely destroyed.