TWO schools and premises at a business park in Co Galway were evacuated earlier today after a fire broke out at a factory.
Gardai are assisting with the evacuation after Galway County Council declared the scene at Claregalway Corporate Business Park as a “major fire incident” this afternoon.
The fire incident took place at Claregalway Business Park[/caption]
It is understood that the fire took place at a lithium battery production plant in the area, with the council confirming that the evacuation has been taken as a “precautionary measure”.
It has been reported that, while the fire has been contained after breaking out yesterday, there is concern that gasses resulting from the production processes are not dispersing due to humidity levels.
Parents whose children attend Claregalway Educate Together National School and Coláiste Bhaile Chläir secondary school’s have been urged to collect their children from the evacuation locations.
A statement from Galway County Council said: “Galway Fire and Rescue Service is currently responding to a significant fire at the Claregalway Corporate Business Park.
“As a precautionary measure, a partial evacuation of the business park is underway.
“In the interest of public safety, Claregalway Educate Together National School and Colaiste Bhaile Chlair secondary school are also being evacuated. An Garda Siochana is assisting with the evacuation process.
“All pupils from Colaiste Bhaile Chlair secondary school are being transported by bus to Claregalway GAA Club at Knockdoemore.
“Pupils from the Claregalway Educate Together National School are being evacuated to the church in Claregalway.”
It is understood that some 1,300 students were evacuated from their classrooms at Colaiste Bhaile Chlair.
The schools have already been in touch with school guardians, with parents being told that further updates will be provided as the situation develops.
The council added: “Parents and guardians are advised not to go to the schools, as access is restricted. Instead, they are requested to collect their children directly from the above locations.
“Galway County Council urges the public to follow official guidance and avoid the area to allow emergency services to carry out their work.”
ANOTHER SCHOOL EVACUATED
It comes after another school was evacuated in a separate incident that took place in Co Cork yesterday morning.
An electric cable is suspected to have caught on fire at Glasheen Boy’s National School, located on School Avenue, shortly after 8:30am.
No injuries were reported.
It is understood that staff at the primary school extinguished the minor blaze with a fire extinguisher.
Cork City Fire Brigade were alerted to the blaze and attended the scene within six minutes.
The school, which shares a campus with Glasheen Girls’ School, is located in Cork city centre.
Cork City Council confirmed in a statement that three pumps, a hydraulic platform and a senior officer from the Cork City Fire Brigade mobilised and were on the scene for one hour.
Two schools and a number of other premises have been evacuated as a precaution[/caption]
