Major blaze rages near Dail

More than 60 firefighters were tonight battling a ‘‘major blaze’’ which broke out in an office and apartments complex in central Dublin.

Twelve units of the Dublin Fire Brigade were called to the building near St Stephen’s Green, just yards away from the Dail.

All of the offices and penthouse suites at Huguenot House were cleared before the blaze took hold of the building, which houses a number of Irish newspaper offices.

Police and firefighters said there were no initial reports of any casualties.

Flames could be seen licking from the upper floors of the building, and smoke could be seen from miles around.

Roads around the centre of the capital were gridlocked as routes to the building were sealed off.

A Dublin fire brigade spokesman said: ‘‘Twelve appliances have been called to the scene and 60 firefighters are involved in the operation.

‘‘With that many officers at the scene this will be classed as a major blaze, although I believe it is now being brought under control.

‘‘At this stage there are no reports of any casualties and we believe the building was fully cleared.

‘‘The building is mainly office space, although there are some apartments within it as well,’’ he said.

The building, on Merrion Row, houses the Irish editions of The Sun, News of the World, and Sunday Times newspapers.

A police spokesman said: ‘‘This is being dealt with as a major incident and there is severe disruption on the roads in the nearby area.’’

The spokesman said police would investigate the cause.