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LAST UPDATE | 11 May
ASBESTOS-CONTAINING MATERIALS have been identified in the fire-damaged structure and debris of a fire that broke out in an industrial estate in Waterford City on Saturday.
The fire broke out at a commercial premises at the old Jute Factory on Tycor Avenue at around 6.30pm on Saturday evening and was brought under control yesterday.
In a statement this morning, Waterford City and County Council said that a specialist contractor has been appointed to conduct a precautionary clean-up of the affected external areas.
The Council had said over the weekend that it was “proceeding on the basis that asbestos is present” in a cement roof on the building.
An independent asbestos consultancy has been appointed to monitor the environment throughout the remediation works.
Air monitoring conducted yesterday did not detect elevated asbestos fibre concentrations in the air and monitoring will continue during the planned clean-up works, which commenced this morning.
The public should also refrain from touching any debris or ash and have also been told not to mow the grass and to remove and clean footwear before entering their home.
Anyone who think they are experiencing health effects should seek medical attention and those with respiratory or heart disease should take extra precautions to avoid smoke.
Those in the immediate vicinity should also avoid exercising outdoors.
The Council said it is continuing to work closely with the building owners and relevant specialists to ensure the site is fully remediated and managed appropriately.
In a statement last night, Waterford City Fire Service said its crews had to “battle for many hours to try to contain and stop the fire spread which was vast”.
Around 40 businesses were severely damaged following the fire.
The fire service thanked the public for staying away from the scene and “letting us operate safely” and for heeding the safety advice.
Waterford City Fire Service also thanked neighbouring fire services for assisting in tackling the blaze.
“We also feel for the 40 odd business owners that are waking this morning to the loss of their businesses and hope they can rise from the ashes and rebuild,” said Waterford City Fire Service.
Minister of State for Local Government and Planning, John Cummins, last night said the government is assessing how to support businesses and groups impacted by the fire.
Cummins said he had spoken with the Minister for Enterprise and Employment, Peter Burke, on how his Department can assist
He added that a “number of Departments will look at standing up a humanitarian scheme to assist businesses and groups impacted by the devastating fire”.
“I spoke with minister Burke and he and Government are committed to supporting those impacted,” said Cummins.
Burke will visit Waterford City to engage with businesses impacted.
Cummins also paid tribute to the “brave fire service personnel who battled to get this devastating fire under control”.
“My thoughts are with the business owners, employees and residents in the surrounding area who have had their lives turned upside down,” he added.
The owner of DG Foods said his business is “all ash” following the fire.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Andrew Hepburn said his business has been operating out of Tycor Avenue for two decades.
“It’s just ash, there’s nothing left,” Hepburn told RTÉ. “It’s just complete dust.”
While his food business can continue to operate because it has a second location, Hepburn said all the stock in the Tycor facility has been destroyed.
“The knock-on effect of that to the local economy is going to be massive,” said Hepburn, who expressed hope of financial assistance from the government for the impacted businesses.
Sinn Féin TD for Waterford David Cullinane called for supports for businesses, workers and local service providers affected by the fire.
“Many businesses will need urgent support, and many employees are now facing real uncertainty and are out of work as a result of what happened,” said Cullinane.
“There is a lot of anxiety among business owners and employees as they assess the damage and try to understand what happens next.
“The priority now must be ensuring that businesses, workers, service providers and residents get clear information, practical assistance and the supports they need.
“It is important that the Department of Enterprise and government engage directly and quickly to ensure that affected businesses and workers can access the supports they need, including social welfare supports and any other relevant assistance.
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