Fire destroys landmark Killiney pub

A well-known pub in south Co Dublin was extensively damaged after a fire broke out there this morning.

The Graduate pub is located in Killiney Shopping Centre on Rochestown Avenue.

The fire began at about 10am, and quickly spread throughout the building. Three units from Dun Laoghaire fire station were first called out to attend the blaze, with two additional units from Donnybrook also on the scene. A number of gardaí were on hand to assist as roads around the pub were closed off.

An eyewitness working nearby said he had seen smoke coming from the roof area of the building this morning. The fire brigade arrived shortly afterwards and began to work on the blaze, he said.

The incident commander at the scene said it was believed to have started over the bar area, but did not say what may have caused the blaze.

"The fire spread very quickly and was upgraded to six appliances, two aerial units and a water tanker," he said.

Fire officers requested the tanker due to low water pressure in the area which may have hindered efforts to control the fire. Local council workers were brought in to quickly correct the problem.

A crowd of onlookers gathered to watch at the garda cordon, including shocked employees of the pub and owners of nearby businesses. Staff who had been working in the Graduate when the fire broke out said they left as soon as the fire alarm sounded.

By late morning, part of the roof of the premises had caved in as fire fighters tried to extinguish the flames. It took two hours to bring the fire under control, with some units remaining at the scene as smoke rose from the building.

No injuries were reported in the incident, although medical services were called to the scene.