Gardai are treating as "strongly suspicious" a fire that destroyed two mobile homes in Co Wicklow, leaving a family of 20 homeless.
No one was injured in the fire at Rathnew, Co Wicklow. Gardai said temporary accommodation in a local hotel has been found for the Hunter family by the Eastern Regional Health Authority. They believe the family are settled Travellers.
Garda technical experts were yesterday examining the scene, but a motive for the fire is unknown.
One of the homes caught fire shortly before 4 a.m. yesterday. The other mobile home, located three feet away, then caught fire, said gardai, who confirmed the homes were "completely gutted".
Gardai said the family had been living on land owned by Wicklow County Council outside the town. They believe there were seven people in one of the homes and two in the other at the time of the fire.