Up to 100 cars destroyed in blaze at Dublin scrapyard

Between 80 and 100 cars were destroyed in a fire at a scrapyard in north county Dublin yesterday. The Dublin Fire Brigade's Chief Fire Officer, Greg O'Dwyer, reported that the response to the incident near Ballyboughal was scaled down significantly. Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, O'Dwyer stated that only two fire appliances and a water tanker are currently on the scene, focusing on dampening down any remaining smoldering areas.

At its peak, eight fire units, including five engines, a foam tender, and two water tankers, had been deployed to the scene. The fire was reportedly brought under control around 8:15 PM yesterday, extinguishing the main plume of black smoke that had been visible for miles. The cause of the fire remains undetermined by the Dublin Fire Brigade, who acknowledge the possibility of multiple causes given the complexity of the area.

A video of the scene depicted intense flames and thick black smoke emanating from the scrapyard. O'Dwyer attributed the intensity of the smoke to the large stock of car tyres present, which continued to emit smoke even after the fire's suppression. The fire's accessibility was a significant challenge, with a single entry and exit point and the presence of gas cylinders around the site.

Several nearby houses were evacuated for the safety of residents, though O'Dwyer clarified that these homes were never in immediate danger, only at risk from smoke and potential projectiles.