Investigations underway after major fire breaks out in Waterford city
Sarah Slater
Several investigations are underway after a major fire in a Waterford city industrial estate broke out on Saturday evening.
The blaze broke out in the old Jute factory, which made packaging, in the Tycor Businesses Park area of the city around 8pm, which is surrounded by a number of homes and businesses.
Scores of firefighters from several fire units from the city, and surrounding towns of Dungarvan, Dunmore East, Portlaw and Tramore rushed to the scene and battled throughout the night to bring the blaze under control.
Many of the fire brigades remain at the scene this morning as they continue to dampen down the area and monitor smoldering which may reignite. It is believed the blaze spread to a number of other nearby units.
Waterford City and County Council has advised the public to avoid the area around the commercial premises and those living and working in the area to keep windows and doors closed.
Numerous residents were evacuated while electricity and gas supplies to surrounding buildings and homes were turned off as a precaution.
Gardai said no injuries have been reported.
The blaze broke out close to Walsh Park, where the Munster Hurling Championship between Waterford and Cork was coming to an end, with large flames visible.
Waterford City Council in a statement, said: "Fire brigades from Waterford City Fire Service, Tramore, Dunmore East, Portlaw and Dungarvan are currently tending to a large fire at a commercial premises in Tycor in Waterford City.
"The public is advised to avoid the area around the old Jute Factory, and residents are also advised to keep windows closed."
Traffic restrictions remain in place.
The cause of the fire is not known, but gardaí, the local authority and fire services are investigating.
DG Foods, one of the businesses impacted by the extensive fire in a statement thanked “well-wishers and all Emergency crews from Waterford city fire station (and surrounding areas), Waterford Garda for their battle to try and save our storage unit and our original store in Tycor Business centre for the last 20 years”.
The Hepburn family, which runs DG Foods, said the fire was “a blip in our business and a major setback, but thank god there have been no injuries as far as we know.”
They said that they are determined to “pick” themselves up and “keep our business running as per usual” as this has not been affected in the Six Cross Roads business park.
“DG Foods Wholesale, DG Retail and Press Coffee will be working even harder to get over this setback.”
Local Sinn Féin TD Conor D McGuinness added that his thoughts were with the firefighters who battled the blaze and all the residents and businesses nearby dealing with smoke, power disruption and “very real anxiety”.
Deputy McGuinness said: “There is concern locally around air quality and possible asbestos risks. Please follow the advice to avoid the area and stay indoors with windows and doors shut if smoke is nearby.
