An American working for an Irish telecommunications company was killed in a freak accident when fire destroyed the City West hotel near Saggart in west Dublin at the weekend. Damage to the hotel is put at several million pounds.Mr Patrick Mulcahy (38), of Boston, who had been playing golf in the course near the hotel, was hit by an exploding cylinder which was blown through a window as he watched the blaze. He died later from his injuries.A Garda spokesman said: "It was an entirely freak occurrence and a terrible tragedy. All those in the hotel when the fire started were safe and well, and Mr Mulcahy was just a casual bystander who had visited the place to play golf."The fire is believed to have started in the upstairs section of the hotel at about 2.30 p.m. The hotel's general manager, Ms Fidelma Purcell, said yesterday that it was not known for certain what had started it.Ms Purcell said the hoel would be rebuilt: "We hope to be open for business again in a few months," she added.City West, just off the Naas Road, was opened more than three years ago as one of several new hotels built in Dublin city and suburbs.It has 50 bedrooms, a conference room and two restaurants.The hotel provided employment for about 70 people, mainly from Saggart and the surrounding area. "It provided good local employment, so the fire is a devastating blow to Saggart," an employee said.