Updated: 14:10
LOCALS ARE RALLYING around a family whose business went up in flames yesterday evening.
The Martin family, who owns the Tippo factory in Nenagh, Tipperary, are said to be devastated after the blaze ripped through their factory.
Over 60 people will now face Christmas on the dole, according to local councillor Séamus Morris.
Speaking to TheJournal.ie, he said: “There is incredible shock here. It’s taken years for the Martins to build up this business and then it’s gone in the night.
“You know that’s 60 jobs taken overnight as well. It’s going to take a long time for the family to build it back up again if they can. It’s coming up to Christmas now as well so 60 people will be on the dole.”
However, Morris said there is a huge sense of camaraderie in the area.
He added: “There’s talk of some locals coming together and offering them a premises so they can get to manufacturing some furniture,. There’s a great community spirit here and everyone is behind them.
“The family has been decades at this. They survived the recession and then started going international. They were an Irish success story and now the place is destroyed.”
Eleven units of the fire brigade worked through the night to tackle the blaze which engulfed the plant, which went up in flames shortly before 7pm.
The Tippo International plant, which is based in Nenagh, went up in flames at around 7pm yesterday evening.
No injuries were reported but it took eleven units of the Tipperary Fire and Rescue Service until this afternoon to control the blaze.
Gardaí have said they expect the Thurles to Nenagh road to be closed for most of the day.
Local TD Jackie Cahill sent his best wishes to everyone at the plant.
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