‘Gas explosion’ destroys pub, shop

A SUSPECTED gas leak is thought to have caused a massive fire which destroyed a pub and auctioneers shop in the centre of Athlone yesterday.

For a number of hours, units of the local fire brigade fought the blaze which broke out at O’Neill’s Bar and Finlay’s Auctioneers in St Mary’s Square at 3pm.

Gardaí were forced to evacuate all the surrounding properties on Castlemaine Street.