Updated 15.48
THIS IS ALL that remains of six houses at Millfield Manor in Newbridge, Co. Kildare, the afternoon following last night’s enormous fire.
The raging blaze has left practically nothing in its wake, with the gutted houses’ smokestacks standing forlornly as the only remnant of the their upper storeys.
Gardaí are continuing to question a 39-year-old man who was arrested and detained in connection with the fire last night.
Local efforts are in motion to help the victims of the fire.
A bank account has been set up for anyone who wishes to donate to the people who lost their homes in such dramatic fashion. Its details are:
Bank – Permanent TSB
Account Name – Millfield Fire Fund
Account Number – 64524172540
Cash donations will also be accepted at the local Parish Office in Newbridge.
The occupants of the houses spent last night in a local hotel.
Children aged from 18 months to 13 years have been made homeless as a result of the fire.
Appeals have been made for children’s clothes to be donated at Royston Sport Club in Newbridge.
Damien McGrath, owner of one of the destroyed houses, spoke earlier to Today FM’s Susan Keogh.
“I got a phone call off my 13-year-old son to say the house was on fire,” he said.
His friend had texted him a picture of the house in flames. I got there and there were gardaí and firemen everywhere.
We stayed til 11 last night but there was nothing more to be done. We’re left with nothing now.
My head is wrecked with the whole thing to be honest with you.
Earlier today dramatic pictures emerged of the enormous blaze as it raged yesterday evening.
The alarm was initially raised at 4pm yesterday at the estate. Gardaí and fire services attended the scene and evacuated a number of houses.
Fire crews in Kildare spent the evening battling the fire which was finally brought under control early this morning.
Video footage of the early stages of the blaze was recorded late yesterday afternoon:
No injuries have been reported as a result of the blaze.
All occupants of the properties have been accounted for and the scene is now preserved for a technical examination.
Originally published at 8.38 am
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