Workers survive ‘ferocious’ blaze

Two mechanics cheated death yesterday after a fire broke out in a garage as they worked.

The men escaped before the blaze ripped through the premises known locally as Hartnett’s Garage in Cobh, Co Cork. The alarm was raised at around 11.30am.

Locals reported hearing several explosions before seeing huge flames, fuelled by tyres and various fuels and liquids stored in the garage, spread through the building on Spy Hill.

Gardaí and two units of the Cork County Fire Service rushed to the scene within minutes and found the building fully ablaze.

Several cars parked on the small forecourt area outside the building were also on fire.

At one stage, a blazing vehicle appeared to roll down the hill before firefighters managed to halt it.

One local described the fire as “ferocious” with large plumes of thick black smoke visible from the other side of Cork Harbour.

Roads in the area were closed and diversions put in place as firefighters brought the blaze under control. They prevented it from spreading to Cobh Museum, located next door, which displays Titanic memorabilia and offers research advice to people trying to trace ancestors who emigrated over the last 200 years.

A fire crew remained on scene for several hours dampening down the smouldering remains of the building before the roads were reopened

Gardaí believe the fire was started accidentally.

Cobh’s mayor Cllr Sinead Sheppard said she was relieved nobody was injured. “But this is devastating for the garage owner and the workers.

“It’s such a struggle for anyone in business these days, especially the self-employed, and I just hope that they can rebuild and reopen.”

Hartnett’s Garage is one of the town’s longest established garages. It operated as a garage and fuel station but the current owner now runs a car servicing operation there.