GARDAÍ HAVE begun an investigation into the cause of a fire which caused extensive damage to a business centre on the site of the former Stardust nightclub in north Dublin.
The fire started at the ENRG children's play centre in the Butterly Business Park, Artane, in the early hours of yesterday.
A Garda spokesman said there was an explosion at the empty business premises at about 4am. Seven units of the Dublin Fire Brigade were called to attend the blaze.
The fire was brought under control just after 5.15am, with the last unit remaining at the scene until 10am.
Gardaí said yesterday it was too early to tell if the fire had been started maliciously.
No injuries were reported, but Dublin Fire Brigade said officers found asbestos at the site. Environmental health officers had been informed.
Asbestos can be harmful if the fibres are inhaled as dust.
The business park on Kilmore Road was built on the site of the former Stardust nightclub which was destroyed in a fire in the early hours of February 14th, 1981, killing 48 young people. More than 200 were injured.
A Government-established tribunal found that the cause of the fire was "probably" arson. However, families of the Stardust victims have campaigned for a new inquiry.
Senior counsel Paul Coffey has been appointed by the Government to decide if there should be a fresh inquiry.
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