THE SOCIETY OF St Vincent de Paul is appealing for a temporary premises to use after its Coolock store was destroyed by a fire yesterday.

The fire was set at 5am yesterday morning and caused damage to the shop and surrounding businesses. Gardaí are investigating the circumstances of the fire and yesterday arrested a 25-year-old man in connection with the incident.

A file is now being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The charity said the blaze caused structural damage which means it will be some time before the shop can reopen.

It said the Coolock shop was one of the busiest in its network and it will be a “major loss to the community”. The store is operated by a full-time manager with the support of three community scheme workers and 40 volunteers.

“We urgently need to find a replacement quickly as the loss of revenue is a blow to our ability to support those who seek our help,” said Liam Casey, SVP East Region President.

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“The level of goodwill and offers of help from the local community which depended heavily on the invaluable service of the Vincent’s shop has been overwhelming.”

While an alternative premises is being sought, donations can be left at SVP shops in Fairview Strand, Kilbarrack, Killester and Malahide.

Anyone who can offer an alternative premises to SVP until the Coolock shop can reopen is asked to contact Mark O’Brien 087 776 2293.

Read: ‘We could have been killed’: Locals worried about number of fires being set in north Dublin suburb>