Luas red line suspended from Connolly to the Point after major fire brought under control
|
14 hrs ago
The Journal
/ YouTube
A LARGE FIRE that blazed for several hours last night at George's Dock in Dublin is now under control.
Dublin Fire Brigade said it has initially received reports of the blaze shortly after 6pm yesterday evening. Efforts to put out the fire began shortly afterwards, with emergency services arriving at the scene.
Just before 10.30pm, the fire was extinguished,
The Journal
's reporter at the scene witnessed. Firefighting operations continued into the night as the scene was dampened down.
'We've augmented water supplies to the fireground by taking water from the River Liffey. Luas tram services are still affected and Gas Networks Ireland staff continue to assist at the incident.'
The fire was in front of KPMG's offices at Harbourmaster place.
Advertisement
The operator of the Luas said that spokesperson that the red line is running from Tallaght/Saggart to Connolly Station only.
The company said it envisages that a change to services in the area may last a period of time while it waits for information in relation to the 'fire damage in the area and clearance in relation to the bridge, Luas infrastructure including overhead power lines'.
It is understood that water was being kept on the blaze for several hours while efforts were made to crimp a gas line.
Once the line had been crimped, the fire extinguished itself. It is also understood that the dock's bridge, which carries the Luas Red Line, is severely damaged.
DAMIEN STORAN
DAMIEN STORAN
Dublin Fire Brigade are continuing to battle the fire in Dublin 1.
DAMIEN STORAN
DAMIEN STORAN
A cordon was set up from La Touche House to the quayside end of George's Dock to keep members of the public away from the scene.
Firefighters used 70mm hose to control the fire and cool adjacent exposures.
A large number of people gathered to watch the blaze, which continued to burn strongly as of 10pm. By 10.30pm, it had majorly dampened and has now been extinguished.
Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article.
Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.
Learn More
Support The Journal
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Independent
a day ago
- Irish Independent
Fire in Dublin city cuts internet to businesses and homes as part of Luas Red Line to be shut for at least a week
Eir confirmed on Wednesday night that due to the large fire which erupted on Tuesday evening, some of its telecoms infrastructure has been damaged. 'Following the fire at George's Dock in Dublin's Docklands last night, eir can confirm that telecommunications ducting infrastructure in the area has sustained damage, which in turn has impacted some local business and residential services. Eir teams have assessed the current impact and are working on rerouting services, where feasible. Eir teams are ready to access the site and begin restoration work as soon as it is declared safe and access is granted by emergency services,' a spokesperson said. The fire broke out near to the IFSC, which houses many tech firms and homes in the Docklands area. Luas services to the Docklands area of Dublin are not operating due to damage caused by the fire. Firefighters brought the blaze under control by 11.30pm. In an update on Wednesday afternoon, operator Transdev said part of the line would be out of action for at least a week. "Due to significant damage from a gas fire at George's Dock on Tuesday 19 August, the George's Dock bridge, which forms part of the Luas Red Line (tracks and overhead power lines), will remain closed for at least the next seven days, and until it is certified safe for use,' Transdev said. 'The bridge must undergo structural engineering assessments, multiple inspections by Luas engineering, maintenance, and safety teams from Transport Infrastructure Ireland and Transdev (Luas operator), as well as essential repairs. Only when these works and checks are complete will services be able to resume. 'At present, we cannot confirm a reopening date. We will continue to provide updates as progress is made. These checks are essential for everyone's safety, and we appreciate your patience and support.' The company added that trams are currently operating between Tallaght/Saggart and Connolly, and that there is no service between Connolly and The Point. Luas tickets are valid on Dublin Bus services between Connolly and The Point. Meanwhile, green line services are operating normally. Four fire engines, a foam tender and water tanker attended the scene as part of the multi-agency response on Tuesday evening. Luas red line services are not operating from Connolly to The Point while the damage is being assessed. In a statement, Gas Networks Ireland said the cause of the fire was not yet known. "At 18:29 on Tuesday, August 19, Gas Networks Ireland responded immediately to a request for assistance from the fire services to an incident in the George's Dock area of Dublin. "Gas Networks Ireland staff arrived on site at 19:06. The Gas Networks Ireland crew worked closely with the emergency services to safely isolate the gas flow. "An investigation into the cause of the incident is underway.'
The Journal
a day ago
- The Journal
Luas red line suspended from Connolly to the Point after major fire brought under control
LAST UPDATE | 14 hrs ago The Journal / YouTube A LARGE FIRE that blazed for several hours last night at George's Dock in Dublin is now under control. Dublin Fire Brigade said it has initially received reports of the blaze shortly after 6pm yesterday evening. Efforts to put out the fire began shortly afterwards, with emergency services arriving at the scene. Just before 10.30pm, the fire was extinguished, The Journal 's reporter at the scene witnessed. Firefighting operations continued into the night as the scene was dampened down. 'We've augmented water supplies to the fireground by taking water from the River Liffey. Luas tram services are still affected and Gas Networks Ireland staff continue to assist at the incident.' The fire was in front of KPMG's offices at Harbourmaster place. Advertisement The operator of the Luas said that spokesperson that the red line is running from Tallaght/Saggart to Connolly Station only. The company said it envisages that a change to services in the area may last a period of time while it waits for information in relation to the 'fire damage in the area and clearance in relation to the bridge, Luas infrastructure including overhead power lines'. It is understood that water was being kept on the blaze for several hours while efforts were made to crimp a gas line. Once the line had been crimped, the fire extinguished itself. It is also understood that the dock's bridge, which carries the Luas Red Line, is severely damaged. DAMIEN STORAN DAMIEN STORAN Dublin Fire Brigade are continuing to battle the fire in Dublin 1. DAMIEN STORAN DAMIEN STORAN A cordon was set up from La Touche House to the quayside end of George's Dock to keep members of the public away from the scene. Firefighters used 70mm hose to control the fire and cool adjacent exposures. A large number of people gathered to watch the blaze, which continued to burn strongly as of 10pm. By 10.30pm, it had majorly dampened and has now been extinguished. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Times
a day ago
- Irish Times
Part of Luas Red line closed for ‘at least' a week due to damage from fire near IFSC
Luas Red Line services will not operate between Connolly and The Point for at least a week following a major fire that broke out yesterday near the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC). Locals witnessed flames shooting up from underneath the George's Dock Bridge at about 6.10pm yesterday evening. Four fire engines , a foam tender and a water tanker attended the fire at George's Dock. The fire was brought under control at about 10.30pm. Building inspections commenced at midnight after an appeal was put out for keyholders to attend the scene. Luas operator Transdev said on Wednesday evening that there is 'significant damage' to George's Dock Bridge, which forms part of the Red line. The bridge must undergo essential repairs, structural engineering assessments and multiple inspections from engineers and safety experts, it said. READ MORE 'Only when these works and checks are complete will services be able to resume,' the operator said. Currently, Transdev cannot confirm a reopening date, but it will continue to provide updates on progress. It said the bridge will 'remain closed for at least the next seven days, and until it is certified safe for use'. 'These checks are essential for everyone's safety, and we appreciate your patience and support,' it said, adding that trams are operating between Tallaght/Saggart and Connolly. Luas tickets are valid on local Dublin Bus services at this time. Firefighting operations continued overnight. The incident was then further scaled back and one fire engine remained at the scene. It left at 10.30am on Wednesday. Fire inspectors, gardaí and engineers have been assessing the damage underneath the bridge, which is an important crossing point in the Dublin Docklands area. One local, who asked not to be named, said they were alerted to the fire by a smell like burning tyres. 'I came out and the whole bridge was in flames,' he said. Gardaí and Dublin Fire Brigade personnel inspect the damaged George's Dock Bridge after a fire overnight. Photograph: Ronan McGreevy He added that other residents had seen blue flames shooting up from the ground, indicating a gas leak. In a statement, Gas Networks Ireland said: 'At 18:29 we responded immediately to a request for assistance from the fire services to an incident in the George's Dock area of Dublin. 'Our staff arrived on site at 19:06. The crew worked closely with the emergency services to safely isolate the gas flow. An investigation into the cause of the incident is under way.' Lord Mayor of Dublin Cllr Ray McAdam said the situation 'could have been much worse' given that the incident occurred at a busy time and flames were quickly seen enveloping the bridge. Lord Mayor of Dublin Cllr Ray McAdam at the scene of the bridge fire in the Dublin Docklands. 'But it looks to me that it was quite a serious fire and [resolving] it was down to the quality and expertise of our fire brigade personnel, and thankfully there was no member of the [Dublin Fire Brigade] injured either. 'We will have the results of the assessment as soon as possible so we can provide certainty to Luas users,' he said. 'We have to understand the full consequences of the damage done to the infrastructure and we will try and ensure that things return to normal as quickly as possible. We need to make sure it is all safe first.' A coffee shop adjacent to the bridge was closed early on Wednesday morning, as was the Harbour Bar across the road from it. Electricity was restored to them on Wednesday morning. Other businesses in the area were working normally. It is estimated temperatures at the site of the fire reached 1,000 degrees during it, and that the steel girders holding up the bridge can withstand temperatures of up to 600 degrees. Cllr McAdam said it could take as long as 48 hours to ascertain the damage to the bridge, but it will not reopen as either a pedestrian or Luas crossing until it is safe to do so. Firefighters battled intense flames at George's Dock in Dublin after a major blaze broke out Tuesday evening. Photograph: Damien Storan Dublin Fire brigade members battle a fire near the IFSC on Tuesday evening. Photograph: Damien Storan Dublin Fire Brigade members battle a blaze near the IFSC. Photograph: Damien Storan Dublin Fire Brigade members fighting the fire near Dublin's IFSC. Photograph: Sam Boal/Collins
