Firefighters struggle to contain Glanbia blaze

A number of buildings had to be evacuated and streets cordoned off as firefighters struggled to control a major blaze which broke out near the centre of Dungarvan, Co Waterford

The fire is believed to have started at Glanbia’s business service office in Dungarvan at about 8.30am.

It quickly developed and engulfed the entire building, leading to the evacuation of nearby premises, including the Ard Scoil na nDéise girls’ secondary school and the Shaw’s Electrical Store which was badly damaged in the incident.

Emergency services were quickly at the scene and up to eight fire tenders were in the area at one point, while gardaí closed off the nearby streets including Main St and Friary Street.

It’s understood the alarm was raised by a Glanbia employee who was arriving for work and noticed smoke coming from a room in the office building. The fire caused extensive damage to both floors of the building.

There were no other employees in the premises at the time, or at Shaw’s Electrical on Friary Street which is believed to have suffered significant damage in the blaze.

Principal of Ard Scoil na nDéise, Dorothy Hughes, said staff were told to evacuate the school shortly after the fire broke out but, in the event, no damage was caused to the building.

“We would always liaise with the fire service and the gardaí and take our advice from them,” she said.