One of Enniskillen's best-known eateries, 'Mrs O'Malley's', in Belmore Street was badly damaged by an early morning fire today (Friday), 5th June. Thanks to the efforts of firefighters, the top floor and adjoining property were saved, the top floor sustaining only smoke damage.

The cause of the fire, which occurred at 2.30 on Friday morning, is being investigated by forensic experts. The area immediately around remained was taped off all day.

A spokesman for the NI Fire and Rescue Service said his officers received a 'persons reported' call, indicating there were people in an upstairs flat: "In such cases, we send out three appliances, in this case two from Enniskillen and one from Irvinestown. As it turned out, there was no one living above.

"By the time they arrived, the front window was put out, so they got in by the side entrance. Two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered and fought the fire from inside and eventually knocked the fire down. But, we just got there in time. The building is in a terrace and had the fire spread to the first floor it could have made its way across the roof."

Modelled along the lines of a traditional English tea-shop, 'Mrs O'Malley's' was popular with early morning pupils at the local second-level schools and especially employees from local businesses and Southern shoppers. Its shelves carried memorabilia of confectionery from the Victorian era.