People in Ringsend were advised by health authorities to stay inside for more than three hours yesterday. It followed a fire at a scrap-metal yard which sent plumes of black smoke over the Dublin docklands area.
Members of Dublin City Council Environmental Health section attended the scene, at Hammond Metal Recycling Co Ltd, Pigeon House Road, but the cause of the fire was not identified last night.
Eight units of Dublin Fire Brigade were dispatched at lunchtime yesterday to the scene. One firefighter was slightly injured and was taken to hospital.
The Eastern Regional Health Authority department of public health advised everyone living within a half-mile radius of the fire to stay indoors because of risks of smoke inhalation. The advice was later lifted.
People who were in contact with the smoke and who exhibit symptoms, such as gritty eyes, shortness of breath, a cough or sore throat, are advised by the ERHA to seek medical advice.
The metal yard experienced a similar fire around 2½ years ago, it is understood. Green Party TD Mr John Gormley called for the closure of the plant until a safety audit is performed.
Minister of State Mr Eoin Ryan called for an investigation. Local Labour councillor Mr Kevin Humphreys also called for the plant's closure.
Mr Terry Kearney, third officer, Dublin Fire Brigade, said said the fire investigation unit would examine the scene when the fire was completely extinguished.
The company was contacted yesterday evening but offered no comment. It is understood that measures were taken at the metal yard after the last fire.
Meanwhile, investigations are under way into the cause of two fires in the midlands yesterday and on Wednesday night.
Newbridge Courthouse in Kildare was destroyed by one fire, while extensive damage was caused to the Lakeside Hotel in Ballykeeran, Athlone, in another.
Last night gardaí had not ruled out foul play in the Newbridge fire but initial investigations suggested that the circumstances of the hotel fire were not suspicious.
The fire service was alerted to the Newbridge Courthouse fire by gardaí at 5.47 a.m. yesterday. Five units of the fire brigade from Naas and Newbridge brought the blaze under control in about two hours.
The roof of the 144-year-old building fell in at about 8 a.m. and just four blackened walls remained. "It was completely gutted," said Sgt Kevin Lavelle, who is heading the investigation at Newbridge Garda station.
In Athlone, a staff member at the Lakeside Hotel raised the alarm when the fire was discovered on the hotel's first floor at 9.05 p.m. on Wednesday. Two units from Athlone Fire Brigade brought the fire under control in about 20 minutes.
The hotel, three miles north of Athlone, had been closed for renovations at the time of the fire. It is thought the fire may have been connected with the renovation work.
• A 31-year-old Donegal man is in a serious condition in hospital following a fire in a domestic garage.
He was airlifted to St James's Hospital in Dublin, following a fire yesterday morning in the garage of the family home on Donegal Road, beside Stranorlar/Ballybofey. He sustained almost 100 per cent secondary burns.
He had been working with a volatile fluid in the garage and it appeared that the hot sunshine on the window had caused the liquid to ignite and explode. This was followed by more explosions when inflated lorry tyres caught fire.