Call for water pressure probe after fire

Neighbours of a couple whose home was gutted by fire have called for an investigation into low water pressure in their area.

One house was razed to the ground and two neighbouring properties were badly damaged when the fire broke out in a house in the Graball Bay area of Crosshaven in Cork harbour yesterday.

Locals believe low water pressure in the area hampered the fire-fighting operation.

A spokesperson for the county fire service insisted the water supply was not an issue. The fire crews had 1,500 gallons of water in their appliances and drew water from a hydrant 180m away.

“The water pressure is low in that area alright but it didn’t affect our ability to fight the fire,” he said.

However, residents called for further investigation after it emerged that Irish Water was repairing a burst water main in the Crosshaven area yesterday and had warned that the repairs may cause supply disruptions to Crosshaven, Camden, and Church Bay and surrounding areas.

Marie Coffey, who lives nearby, said people are very upset that a couple lost their home.

“In this day and age, it’s just not good enough,” she said. “A man and his partner have lost his home, a second house is severly damaged, and a third house is scorched. It’s just not good enough.”

The cause of the blaze has yet to be established.