Fire raises asbestos fears in town

Officials from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are examining the scene of a fire at a well-known warehouse in Mayo, as fears grow that its roof may have contained asbestos.

A number of pedestrian roads were cordoned off yesterday and vehicle access restricted in the centre of Ballina after Tuffy’s Cash and Carry went on fire at about midnight on Tuesday. Gardaí and fire brigade officials were still wearing protective masks as a precaution yesterday afternoon as the building was still smouldering.

A children’s sports camp, due to be held at the nearby Ballina Stephenite’s pitch, was transferred indoors, on the advice of gardaí.