VIDEO: Locals ‘heartbroken’ as fire destroys Cork thatched pub
Emergency services were called to The Thatch bar in Lisgoold Village, just outside Midleton, early yesterday morning.
It is understood that bar staff were still working at the premises when the fire broke out at around 4.30am, though there were no reports of any injuries.
Members of the fire service attended the scene and were able to bring the fire under control.
Gardaí, who also attended the scene, said that they are not treating the fire as suspicious in nature.
Locals said they were shocked to learn of how the blaze ravaged the building, destroying the interior and collapsing its traditional thatched roof.
“We’re all very upset about it, it really is heartbreaking. It was a lovely pub,” said Sara McSweeney, who lives in the area.
The bar, which is more than 100 years old, is run by Lisa Cussen, who is known locally for her charitable deeds and support for community-run projects.
“Lisa’s just fantastic. She’s a brilliant community person. She’s been great to us, to the St Patrick’s Day committee, but she’s also been great for the whole area really,” said Ms McSweeney.
“She does a lot of things for charity. She does a big charity walk every November and holds table quizzes in the bar, does fundraising, things like that.
“At Christmas, she always gets a Santa Claus in for the kids.”
Ms McSweeney said that the loss of the pub would be a huge blow to the region and expressed locals’ support for Ms Cussen at this difficult time.
“None of us could believe the news when we heard it this morning,” she said. "It’s just awful, really sad. It’s a huge, huge loss.”
Diversions were placed on the Midleton/Rathcormac Road as a result of the blaze, though these restrictions were later lifted.
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