Second apartment block blaze in Portarlington

FIREFIGHTERS were called to an apartment block blaze in Portarlington this morning, less than two weeks after a major fire destroyed another apartment building in the town.

Fire crews and the National Ambulance Service attended the scene, after a fire broke out soon after midnight.

The blaze erupted in a unit at a three-storey apartment block on the town’s Link Road, shortly after 12.30am.

Fire units from Portarlington and Mountmellick rushed to the scene and the blaze was brought under control quickly.

Two people were treated at the scene by ambulance paramedics but there were no serious injuries.

The cause of the fire has not yet been officially established but it is understood that foul play is not suspected.

In a statement following the blaze, the Laois County Fire and Rescue Service said: ‘Laois County Council Fire Authority personnel responded to an apartment fire within a three-storey apartment premises at 00:32 today. The apartment building is in proximity to Portarlington Fire Station and the R420/Link Road.

‘On arrival, fire crews from Portarlington and Mountmellick entered the building wearing self-contained breathing apparatus and quickly contained the fire.’ 

The statement added that both occupants of the apartment received treatment at the scene from crew members of the National Ambulance Service.

The fire and rescue service stressed that the activation of a fire alarm meant the occupants were able to get out quickly, while fire crews were able to respond immediately.

The fire service said: ‘The building’s fire detection and alarm system provided early warning to the occupants of the apartment block, allowed for the quick response of the local fire crews and contributed to the subsequent successful outcome of the incident.

‘The occupants of the apartment building, and all emergency services personnel responding on scene, benefited from the early warning provided by the fire alarm system and therefore we are encouraging all apartment building owners/managers/residents to make sure that the fire detection and alarms system is working and being serviced regularly.’

The incident happened just 12 days after a devastating fire at The Oaks in Kilnacourt Woods, when more than 40 people had to flee their homes in the 18-unit apartment building. Three apartments were destroyed in the blaze and 15 suffered severe smoke and water damage.

About 15 residents are still in emergency hotel accommodation.