Fire fighters put out second fire at apartment block in less than two days

By David Raleigh

Gardaí are investigating after a second suspected arson attack in less than 48 hours at an apartment block in Limerick city.

Emergency services received a 999 alert call at 6.30am this morning of an apartment fire on Catherine Street.

A man and a woman were rescued from the same building at approximately 10pm last Saturday night.

On arrival at the building this morning, fire crews attached to Limerick City and County Fire Service found an apartment "fully smoke logged" and "with a fire in progress" on the first floor, a source confirmed.

Substantial 4 storey fire, Limerick City Centre, this morning. A1,A2,E2. 2 BA teams, PPV used. Incident now closed. pic.twitter.com/XUNXcFUCMl

— Limerick Fire & Rescue (@LimerickFire) December 21, 2015

Two teams of firefighters responded to the scene.

"One team of firefighters fought the fire while another crew searched the second and third floors," the source said.

"The fire was extinguished and no casualties were inside the building," they added.

A man and woman were rescued from the same building after a suspected arson attack on Saturday night last.

Firemen from Limerick City and County Fire Service pulled the pair to safety after they were discovered in a smoke-filled bedroom on the second floor.

The inferno, which forensic investigators suspect may have been started deliberately, broke out shortly before 10pm.

According to a source there were reports of an argument in the apartment block prior to the blaze igniting.

Gardaí are also investigating the possibility there was more than one fire inside the building on Saturday night.

"Gardaí are investigating that there was more than one (origin) of fire. It's very unusual for a fire to start accidentally in more than one place," a source said.

According to a former resident, the apartment is owned by a local property developer but it had been used as a den by squatters.

Firefighters responded to the scene after receiving a report people were "trapped inside".

"One male and one female were rescued by fire crews in a bedroom completely smoke logged. The woman was unconscious," the source added.

The man and woman are being treated at University Hospital Limerick for the effects of smoke inhalation.

Anyone with information can contact Henry Street garda station on 061-212400.