Seven people, including a number of firefighters, have been taken to hospital after a explosion at a tyre-recycling factory in Co Louth.
The fire broke out in the Crum Rubber factory, which is located in Dromiskin, two miles north of Castlebellingham, at 8am.
Firemen arrived to control the blaze but there was an explosion in the factory at 9am. A Garda spokesman said two firefighters and two factory workers had been seriously injured in the explosion.
Two other firefighters and another worker had less serious injuries. Four of the injured have been taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda for treatment. One is in a serious condition.
Three others have taken to the specialist burns unit at St James' Hospital in Dublin.
The Crum Rubber factory became Ireland's first tyre recycling plant when it was set up in 2003 at a cost of €million. There are an estimated two million tyres which are disposed of in the Republic each year.
The factory, which employs around 17 people, also takes used tyres from Northern Ireland. Inspectors from the Health and Safety Authority are travelling to the factory to investigate the accident.