On 9 April 1975, three bombs were detonated inside Bank Buildings, starting a fire that extensively damaged the building. Refurbishments were carried out in 1979 and after 18 months the new owners, Primark Stores Limited established a store. They remain the current owners of the Bank Buildings. Extension and refurbishment In 2016, Primark announced it was expanding the building by 30,000 sq. ft. and refurbishing it, creating 100 new jobs once completed. The expansion cost an estimated £30m and was expected to be completed in September 2018. Commonwealth House, which occupied 29-43 Castle Street was demolished between September 2016 and April 2017 and the extension was built in its place. August 2018 Fire and restoration On 28 August 2018, a fire broke out at roughly 11:00 BST near the roof of the building during business hours. Shoppers and staff were evacuated from the ground and first floors, and 11 fire appliances were called. The area around was cordoned off for public safety, and due to falling debris. The roof collapsed and the clock face was burnt out with the hands staying still at about 11:05. The fire was still spreading and had covered all floors of the building by 15:00 with more appliances called in to assist. The building suffered extensive damage to all levels, however the new wing of the building was relatively undamaged. In September 2018, a specialist team from London based firm Keltbray was called in to manage and undertake to extremely difficult job of making safe and demolition of part of the structure. In October 2018, Primark sent an application for planning permission to Belfast City Council, in order to completely restore the building to its original 1900 appearance. Permission was granted on 26 October 2018, with the initial stages aimed at reducing the safety cordon due to commence "immediately" Designed and installed by Keltbray. The project commenced with emergency façade retention and demolition works by Keltbray. The upper two floors and roof level were taken down, which allowed a façade retention scheme to be put in place. The stonework recovered during the removal of the top two storeys was be numbered and labelled, to be reused later in reconstruction. The iconic clock face was removed for restoration and eventual reinstatement. On 3 December 2018, thanks to the rapid response and the idea By Keltbray the area around Bank Buildings was reopened to pedestrians, with concrete-filled