Gorse blaze sweeps through tourist landscape

ONE of Killarney’s best-known tourist attractions, the Gap of Dunloe, was the scene of a spectacular gorse fire last night.

Flames could be seen leaping 6m into the air and the fire came to within 137m of some dwelling houses, at one stage.

“It was like a volcano. Absolutely frightening,” said one eyewitness.

The blaze, fanned by a lively breeze, was being blown straight down the mountain at one stage. But, fortunately, the wind changed direction at about 8pm, blowing the fire away from the houses.

Two fire brigade units were at the scene, with firemen using shovels to beat down the flames in an attempt to ensure the safety of houses.

Upwards of 200 onlookers gathered close to Kate Kearney’s Cottage for a close-up view and the flames could be seen from a distance of more than 24km.

Vegetation on a large section of mountainside was damaged There had been some gorse fires a few kilometres further west in the MacGillycuddy Reeks, on Tuesday.

The Gap of Dunloe is visited by thousands of tourists each year.