Fire tenders from Ashbourne assisted at north Dublin blaze

Tenders from Meath Fire Service assisted Dublin crews in tackling a major blaze at a Dublin scrapyard yesterday

Between 80 and 100 scrapyard cars were destroyed in the massive fire in north county Dublin on Thursday and into Friday morning.

"Following a request from the Mobilisation Officer in Dublin Fire Brigade for additional resources to support firefighting operations, Meath County Council Fire & Rescue Service mobilised assistance to the scene," Meath Co Council confirmed in a statement.

"The resources deployed from Ashbourne Fire Station comprised two Class B fire appliances, a water tanker, and operational firefighting personnel.

"The primary role of Meath Fire & Rescue Service crews was to support firefighting operations through the establishment and maintenance of water relay systems, ensuring a sustained water supply to incident ground operations. This additional water supply was a key factor in assisting crews to bring the fire under control and prevent further fire spread."

At the height of the fire on Thursday afternoon, eight units of the fire brigade attended the scene: five fire engines, a foam tender and two water tankers.

"The fire was brought under control at about 8.15pm yesterday (Thursday) evening and that main black smoke plume that people could see from miles around, was gone."

It is still not certain what caused the fire, adding that there could be multiple causes considering the area.

The Chief Fire Officer of Dublin Fire Brigade, Greg O'Dwyer told Morning Ireland: "There were approximately 80 to 100 cars involved and destroyed in the fire, but there was a huge stock of car tyres as well, which would have been giving off that black smoke," he said.

Mr O'Dwyer said the fire was very dangerous to deal with, due to difficulties around access to the site.

"There was only one way in and out, so surrounding it was difficult... with gas cylinders and so on around the place," he said.

He said locals had to be evacuated from the scene.

"There were a couple of houses which were very close to [the] site which were evacuated for their own safety," he said.

Mr O'Dwyer added that the houses "were never in danger" but that they were evacuated to protect residents from smoke and "the possibility of some projectiles".