Dublin Fire Brigade battles huge 'deliberate' gorse fire

THREE FIRE ENGINES and a high-volume pump from Tara Street station are on scene as Dublin Fire Brigade battles a gorse fire in south Dublin.

The fire is burning at Puck’s Castle near Rathmichael. Crews from Dun Laoghaire, Tallaght, Rathfarnham and Dolphins Barn are on scene.

A Dublin Fire Brigade tweet said that the fire may have been started deliberately.

Gorse is a dry material which can set alight from any spark, or through spontaneous combustion from the sun and high temperatures.

A combination of dry weather, dry vegetation and windy conditions have led to an increased risk of gorse and forest fires in recent weeks.