The Five Demands

Bonfire closes 24-hour Asda store (News Letter)

A 24-hour Asda store in Co Armagh closed down on Monday night when a huge bonfire was lit nearby.

Asda in Portadown took the decision to close at 8pm on Monday night and did not re-open until 8am on Tuesday, after the bonfire at nearby Edenderry caused concern.

The store has a separate filling station nearby which was the main health and safety concern.

It is understood the bonfire, lit after the annual Lundy parade in the town, was still burning on Tuesday.

Robert Ryans, General Store Manager for Asda Portadown said: “The safety of our customers and colleagues is our number one priority. Whilst the fire was not on Asda property, we were concerned about the proximity of the fire to the petrol station and took the decision in advance to close the store early. ”