Fire causes €100,000 damage

GARDAÍ investigating a major fire in Rathkeale, Co Limerick, which caused an estimated €100,000 worth of damage, say there is no indication the blaze was started maliciously.

Several fire brigade units from Rathkeale, Newcastle West and Foynes fought the blaze on Monday night.

The fire started on waste ground between Seán Hennessy’s electrical shop and Limerick County Council’s offices causing extensive damage to the library and courthouse and steel containers housing electrical goods.

“We are investigating the blaze on the basis that it started accidentally and there is no evidence at the moment to suggest that it was malicious,” a spokesman at Rathkeale garda station said. But gardaí are anxious to hear from witnesses to the blaze in the Newline area of the town.

The alarm was raised about 6pm when smoke was seen coming from the rear of the electrical shop after wooden pallets caught fire in the yard.

Frank Dennison, Assistant Limerick County Fire Officer, said: “It was a huge fire, the biggest seen in the town for many years, and but for the prompt action of 25 firefighters from Rathkeale, Newcastle West and Foynes, the blaze could have been more devastating.” It took more than two hours to bring it under control.

Gerry O’Brien, the manager of Hennessy’s electrical shop, described the fire as “frightening” and paid tribute to the fire fighters for bringing it quickly under control and preventing the flames from spreading to the shop. “We wish to thank the firemen, gardaí and local people for their brilliant work,” he said.

The shop is trading normally.