‘Detailed evidential basis’ that Stardust fire started in a hot press

 Antonette Keegan, Lorraine Keegan, Suzanne Keegan, and Deirdre Dames arriving at the Coroners Court inquest into the Stardust tragedy taking place at the Rotunda Hospital, Dublin. Pictures: Gareth Chaney/Collins

There is no evidence that arson was the cause of the fire in the Stardust club that killed 48 people, but there is a “detailed evidential basis” for it starting in a hot press before quickly spreading further, fresh inquests have heard.

Dr Will Hutchinson, from the fire engineering consultancy Jensen Hughes, agreed with Sean Guerin SC on Thursday that there was “absolutely no evidence” that anyone in the Stardust deliberately set a fire in the area where a fire was first spotted inside the ballroom on the night.