A Cork councillor has said there should be an investigation into why a man and a woman who were seriously injured in a fire had to use a ladder to enter their apartment.
The two people in their early 20s are in a serious condition at Cork University Hospital following smoke inhalation. It has been claimed they had to use a ladder to get into their apartment because of the absence of a staircase. A full investigation should be instituted, the Workers' Party spokesman on local government, Mr Jimmy Homan, said.
The fire occurred at a busy latenight shop in MacCurtain Street early yesterday. It appears fire brigade crews who arrived at the scene discovered by accident that the man and woman were in an upstairs apartment above the shop, known as Mac's Till Midnight.
It is understood that renovations were being carried out in the apartment section of the building and that the staircase had been removed to facilitate the work. This meant that the couple had to get to their flat using a ladder.
A passer-by noticed smoke coming from the shop and alerted the fire brigade, which was on the scene within minutes. It was pointed out that behind the store and above it there was a residential area, and people were probably living there.
Firefighters had to use breathing apparatus to get into the flat where they found the two 20-year-olds, one believed to be a French woman, overcome by smoke. Their names have not been released.
It is understood that the woman had stopped breathing and had to be given resuscitation before being rushed by ambulance to the hospital. The man's condition was less serious, but he also needed to be resuscitated.
Last night a spokesperson for the Southern Health Board said the couple were still in a serious condition but had improved slightly.
Mr Homan said if claims that the tenants' only access to their home was by way of ladder proved to be true, there should be a serious investigation.
"The lives of the two tenants and those of Cork's fire brigade personnel were at serious risk this morning. It is already clear that the brigade had extreme difficulty gaining access to the building to rescue the two people trapped inside. The authorities must investigate this case thoroughly."
A firefighter who sustained back injuries during the rescue attempt has been released from hospital and his condition was said to be satisfactory.