People urged to avoid Dublin area due to major ‘workshop fire’

Motorists have been urged to take alternative routes.

People have been urged to avoid an area of Dublin due to a fire at a workshop. Posting to Twitter at around 11am Tuesday morning (16 January), Dublin Fire Brigade confirmed that firefighters were at the scene of the blaze on Orwell Road in Rathgar. "Avoid the area as closures are in place on Terenure Road East, Highfield Road and Orwell Road," it said. "Smoke is drifting across the area, take precautions if you are affected."

Orwell Road #Rathgar

? Firefighters are at a workshop fire ⛔ Avoid the area as closures are in place on Terenure Road East, Highfield Road and Orwell Road ? Smoke is drifting across the area, take precautions if you are affected@DCCTraffic pic.twitter.com/SCjjwTwE49 — Dublin Fire Brigade (@DubFireBrigade) January 16, 2024

Dublin Fire Brigade has since posted two updates about the fire, the first of which included a video of large plumes of smoke emanating from the scene. The caption alongside the clip read: "Operations are continuing at the fire with firefighters working hard to prevent fire spread. Road closures remain in place."

#Rathgar update

? Operations are continuing at the fire with firefighters working hard to prevent fire spread ⛔ Road closures remain in place@DCCTraffic pic.twitter.com/0Azd03dUER — Dublin Fire Brigade (@DubFireBrigade) January 16, 2024

Then, in another follow-up just before 3.30 pm, the fire brigade stated: "We've made good progress at the fire in Rathgar village. "Two fire engines remain on scene. Earlier, a turntable ladder was deployed to fight the fire from above." Along with this later update, the Dublin Fire Brigade posted a second video - showing significantly less smoke being emitted.

#Rathgar

We've made good progress at the fire in Rathgar village 2️⃣ Two fire engines remain on scene Earlier, a turntable ladder was deployed to fight the fire from above pic.twitter.com/sRQ3UaQUTy — Dublin Fire Brigade (@DubFireBrigade) January 16, 2024

In a statement to JOE about the blaze on Tuesday afternoon, a Garda spokesperson said:

"Gardaí and emergency services are attending the scene of a fire at business premises on the Orwell Road, Dublin 6 that occurred at approximately 10.30am this morning, Tuesday 16th January 2024. "The road is closed and local diversions are in place. Motorists are asked to take alternative routes."

Main image via Twitter/DublinFireBrigade

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