Seven rescued after blazing couch fills homes with smoke

SEVEN people who were rescued from a toxic-smoke filled apartment complex were lucky to escape with their lives, a senior fire officer has said.

Gardaí are investigating the circumstances surrounding the suspicious blaze on Cork’s Shandon Street over the weekend.

The alarm was raised at 4.28am on Saturday when flames and smoke were spotted coming from an enclosed laneway at 115 Shandon Street — located at the top of the historic hill.

Five units of Cork City Fire Brigade and more than 20 firefighters rushed to the scene where they found a blazing couch on the laneway. It was pushed against the three-storey apartment building.

The burning couch generated huge plumes of toxic smoke which spewed into the building.

Fire fighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the building and rescued five people from the ground and first floors. Some had to be roused from their beds.

Fire crews using ladders plucked two people from top floor windows.

In total, five women and two men in the 20s and 30s were taken from the building. All had suffered severe smoke inhalation and one women in particular was very ill at the scene.

A fleet of ambulances took all seven to hospitals around the city where they were treated for the effects of smoke inhalation and shock. All were discharged later.

Third officer with Cork City Fire Brigade Edward Buckley said, if the alarm hadn’t been raised when it was, there would most likely have been fatalities.

Garda forensic experts have examined the scene and their investigations are continuing.

Meanwhile, senior gardaí will meet with officials from the Office of Public Works today to discuss temporary emergency accommodation for gardaí in Blarney following the arson attack on their barracks.

Almost €250,000 worth of damage was caused to the building last Friday morning.

Sixteen gardaí and two clerks are based in the tourist village. It is expected they will be re-housed soon in rented accommodation.

Garda investigations in to the incident are ongoing. Superintendent Con Cadogan appealed for anyone with information to contact the incident room on 021-494 6209.