A major fire breaks out at the historic Convent of Mercy in Downpatrick, County Down, Northern Ireland. Multiple outlets report thick smoke billowing from the former convent and describe a large-scale response by firefighters at the scene. In early reporting, locals are urged to close doors and windows due to the smoke. Social messages referenced across coverage include expressions of support for firefighters as crews work to tackle the blaze. Several sources refer to the building as an iconic historic property and note that the fire is described as “engulfing” the convent. The incident is treated as breaking news, with live or ongoing attention from local reporting outlets. At the time of these summaries, details such as the cause of the fire, extent of damage, and whether anyone is injured are not confirmed in the provided excerpts. Authorities and firefighters are actively responding while public guidance focuses on limiting exposure to smoke.