Shocked families left homeless in major Laois blaze
Still from a video taken by Junior Dowling at the scene of the apartment block blaze
SHOCKED families left homeless by a sudden blaze in a Laois apartment block this morning are being sheltered in a GAA club, as the community rallies to their aid.
Evacuated residents, many in their pyjamas, are being looked after at the club in Portarlington, including families with a baby and small children. Their homes have been destroyed.
More than 40 firefighters battled the major emergency in Kilnacourt and fire crews remain at the scene this lunchtime.
Two people were brought to hospital by ambulance, after the fire broke out shortly before 6am. One was rescued from the second floor by firefighters, while it is understood that another jumped from the burning building.
As reported earlier in the , the blaze erupted in a three-storey apartment building at Kilnacourt Woods, Portarlington.
Flames were ripping through the roof when fire crews from Portarlington and Mountmellick attended the blaze, joined later by the Portlaoise and Monasterevin services.
While the extensive fire was brought under control, the fire service remains at the scene to ensure that the area is safe and there is no further outbreak.
In an update before noon today, Laois County Council said in a statement: ‘Laois Fire and Emergency Services received a call at 05.55 this morning, reporting a fire in an apartment building at Kilnacourt Woods, Portarlington.
‘Portarlington and Mountmellick Fire Crews attended the scene and were subsequently supported by Portlaoise and Monasterevin Fire Crews. Fire Tenders, water tankers and a Hydraulic Platform are all deployed at the site. 41 Fire Services personnel are in attendance.
‘Two individuals were passed to ambulance crews, one rescued from the second floor by Fire and Emergency Services personnel and one injured whilst escaping the building.
‘There is serious structural damage to the building, in addition to adverse impacts from water and smoke.
‘From a Fire and Emergency Services perspective, the situation is now under control and crews are damping down and dealing with structural damage to the roof.’
Shocked residents, including a baby and small children, are receiving care at Portarlington GAA Club in Cooltederry, assisted by Laois County Council housing staff, Laois Civil Defence and the Department of Social Protection.
Cllr Aidan Mullins is among those involved in the community effort at the GAA club, where devastated families are being comforted and given warm blankets, food and hot drinks.
The county council will provide emergency accommodation for those who cannot find a place to stay with family and friends but some will need long-term housing, as their homes have been destroyed.
The Oaks apartment block, which contains about nine units, was severely damaged in the blaze, while neighbouring homes and businesses were left without electricity as a result of the incident.
McGreal's Pharmacy was among those that had to close for a time due to the fire. The busy Kilnacourt GP surgery based at the primary care centre also announced that it had to close, as it had no power due to the major incident at the residential block. However, the surgery is up and running again after power was restored.
