Fire staff stretched to tackle three blazes

OVERSTRETCHED firefighters in Waterford city were called to fires at a bus and a derelict house within hours of controlling a big fire at a DIY store on Thursday.

Fires on a tour bus on the Quay and at a house in The Glen yesterday were controlled, leaving emergency services in the city stretched to the limit.

Gardaí were yesterday carrying out an investigation into the cause of the fire on board a Welsh tour bus which was parked outside Dooley's Hotel on the Quay.

Residents at the front of the hotel were told to evacuate while firefighters fought to control the flames after 4am yesterday.

The coach was being used to carry Welsh rugby supporters, mostly from Swansea and Cardiff, who came via Waterford for today's rugby international fixture at Croke Park.

However, within hours firefighters were again called upon to tackle a fire at a derelict house in The Glen.

Three tenders from the Waterford city fire service went to the house, which has been derelict for more than one year, at about 2pm.

It is understood the fire started inside the house.

A number of men are understood to have been drinking in the house at the time.They were unhurt in the blaze.

Meanwhile, a technical examination of the fire at the DIY shop on Thomas Street on Thursday evening is likely to be concluded today.

The fire, which started in the YouDecor DIY shop, spread west along various premises to Penrose Lane, some 50m away.

More than 100 people were evacuated from apartments on Thomas Street, O'Connell Street, Penrose Lane and St James's Lane.

Gardaí in Waterford yesterday said no links have been established between the three incidents, all of which happened within a 300-metre radius.

Fire chief Niall Curtin yesterday praised his firefighters, crews from neighbouring authorities and off-duty members from the city who assisted crews.

Traffic diversions have remained in place since Thursday evening.

© 2008 The Irish Times

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times