Fire at Dublin building to be used for homeless families

BBC News:

A fire at a Dublin building due to be used as emergency accommodation for homeless families is being investigated by police.

The building, formerly the Shipwright pub on Thorncastle Street in Ringsend, was vacant.

The fire started at 02:00 local time on Sunday and was brought under control by Dublin Fire Brigade at about 05:00.

Six fire engines and nearly 30 firefighters were involved in putting the fire out.

A Garda (Irish police) spokesperson said the scene was being preserved for forensic examination and enquires were ongoing.

The Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Leo Varadkar said he was relieved that no-one was injured in the fire – adding that the building “was intended for use as emergency accommodation for families”.

In a statement, Mr Varadkar said: “The incident in Ringsend is under investigation by An Garda Síochána (Irish police), which is doing everything it can to determine the cause of the fire.

“If this was the result of a deliberate act, all efforts will be made to bring the perpetrators to justice.”