Major blaze sweeps through furniture store in Cork

Thirty firefighters were tonight battling a major blaze that swept through a furniture store in Cork city.

The inferno has spread to several adjoining buildings, including an apartment block which has been evacuated.

Cork Fire Brigade said no one has been injured in the fire, which broke out at Munster Furniture on North Main shortly after 7pm.

Ten units, including two hydraulic platforms and a water tender are at the premises, which back on to Grattan Street.

A spokesman for Cork’s city fire service said the major inferno is still not under control.

“We have 30 firemen out there and the situation is still on going,” he said.

“It is still not under control because the roof has collapsed in and there are still hot spots that we still can’t get at.”

Gardaí cordoned off the immediate area as the fire raged.

“The area was closed to traffic because there was a lot of smoke and debris,” he added.

“We haven’t established the cause as yet, but we will be investigating.”

The furniture shop and its large warehouse were extensively damaged in the fire, which was eventually brought under control by firefighters.

Cork City Council staff, including structural engineers and a dangerous buildings inspector, were at the scene amid concerns the building could collapse or need to be pulled down overnight or in the morning.

Fire crews were also remaining at the store throughout the night to dampen it down, ensure hotspots do not reignite, and dig out where the roof caved in.

Cork city fire service said the blaze took hold and spread quickly across a fairly large area.

People were removed from two adjacent shops, which had apartments over head, and a nearby a restaurant.

A spokesman said tackling the inferno was also a issue in the early stages, as crews had to get themselves in to position and gain access in to the building.

“There was also a problem with the water because there was a big draw from all the hydrants all around the place,” he added.

“We had to get on to the city council to re-divert the water mains so we could get pressure in the area.

“The mains wouldn’t have been able to cope with a big draw like that for a fire because they were pumping a lot of water out, especially from the hydraulic platforms.

“But our main concern is that everyone is OK.”