Firefighters still tacking large blaze at fish factory in West Cork

Five fire brigades have responded to a fire which broke out at a fish factory in Baltimore in West Cork this morning.

Emergency services are on the scene at the Irish Seafood Factory and staff have been evacuated from the premises.

Firefighters from Skibbereen, Schull and Bantry along with backup from Midleton, Mallow and Ballincollig are still at the scene this afternoon and are currently using a hydraulic platform to dampen down any remaining flame hotspots.

Firefighters from Skibbereen, Schull and Bantry along with backup from Midleton, Mallow and Ballincollig are still at the scene of a fire in Baltimore, West Cork. A hydraulic platform is currently in operation damping down any remaining pockets of fire. pic.twitter.com/1qb7saOH6j

— Cork County Fire Service (@CorkCountyFire) June 20, 2018

Cork County fire service said that everyone had been accounted for and that there were no casualties.

They said that the blaze was under control after units from Skibbereen, Skull and Bantry attended the scene.

Rath National School has also been evacuated due to safety concerns over a smoke plume.

The school principal, Maura Collins, said there is no danger of fire in the school.

Speaking to Patricia Messinger on C103’s Cork Today Show, she said: "Everyone is fine here... it's just the fumes which are quite toxic.

"On health and safety ground the board of management decided to evacuate the children out of here."

She continued: "We were just keeping everything nice and calm here.

"We have a text the parent service so we sent that off and everyone has been collected.

"It's only staff remaining in the school and we're clearing out ASAP."

BREAKING: Emergency services are responding to a large fire at a fish factory near #Baltimore in Co #Cork. No reports of any injuries. A national school nearby has been evacuated as a precaution due to smoke plume. Roads in the area are closed pic.twitter.com/TVfF1j2VfT

— Eoin English (@EoinBearla) June 20, 2018

There were reports of an explosion at the scene before the fire broke out.

Motorists have been advised that diversions are in place as a section of the road between Skibbereen and Baltimore has been closed. Road users are advised to use the 'Old Road'.

- Digital Desk