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Ballinrobe
Explosions heard as fire engulfs Mayo factory
Fire services are tackling the fire at McHale Engineering.
Updated 4.44pm, 3 June
FIRE SERVICES BATTLED a significant blaze at a factory in Co Mayo.
Emergency services were called to McHale Engineering, a business specialising in farm machinery, in Ballinrobe before 6pm this evening.
The factory employs around 200 people.
A statement from the company said “fire procedures were followed and the building was evacuated quickly, thankfully no one was injured”.
“Units of the fire service from Mayo and Galway successfully contained the fire.”
A RTÉ News reporter at the scene said eight units of local fire brigades tackled the fire, which has now been brought under control.
Locals heard explosions before the fire took hold.
Diversions are currently in place, with thick black smoke spreading across the local area.
The blaze is currently believed to have started in the paint section of the factory.
McHale Engineering said “management and staff have begun to assess the extent of the damage with a view to resuming normal business as soon as possible”.
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