Gardaí investigate cause of chocolate factory fire

GARDAÍ are investigating the cause of a fire which destroyed a chocolate factory in Kerry on Saturday.

The Skelligs Chocolate plant, in St Finian’s Bay, Ballinskelligs, was gutted in the fire which broke out some time before 6am.

Eleven people are employed by the company, which services both the home and export markets.

Fire brigades from Sneem and Caherciveen were dispatched to fight the fire. The scene has now been preserved for a technical examination.

Skelligs Chocolate has been in business since 1996 and the factory doubled in size in 2007 after it took over Cocoa Bean chocolates.

Claiming to be most westerly chocolate maker in Europe, the award-winning company produces a variety of top-of-the range chocolates, truffles and presentation boxes.

The company sells to specialist chocolate retailers.