Neighbours in fear after second vacant house blaze
Gardaí are now working with Cork City Council to establish the ownership of the property on Evergreen Road, which was gutted in an early morning blaze yesterday.
Several elderly residents had to be evacuated from neighbouring homes after fire broke out in the vacant terraced house sometime around 5am.
Neighbours raised the alarm and several units of Cork city fire brigade responded as gardaí closed the road.
The house was empty at the time but one neighbour said residents have spotted a man coming and going from the property regularly — entering through a window.
Despite flames shooting through the roof, the fire fighters managed to bring the blaze under control, confining most of the damage to the vacant house which has been gutted.
It was inspected by city council engineers yesterday and declared unsafe.
Garda forensic experts spent several hours inspecting the scene.
While they are awaiting the outcome of certain forensic tests, the early indications are that the fire was not started deliberately.
But Superintendent Barry McPolin said gardaí are still keeping an open mind on the incident. He said they are working with the council to trace the building’s owners.
“We would appeal to anyone who saw anything suspicious in or around the Evergreen Rd area to contact us at Anglesea St Garda Station.”
Councillor Mick Finn said he flagged concerns about the property with both the city council and the HSE several months ago.
“Incidences like this need to be acted upon when reported and not left on the long finger by those agencies responsible for building inspections,” he said. “I sympathise with the adjoining residents — they are the big losers in this instance.”
