Gardai investigate major fires in Athy and Cork

Investigations are unde rway today into the cause of two separate fires in Athy, Co Kildare, and Blackpool in Cork.

Gardaí said they have not ruled out arson in either of the fires but stressed the investigations are at an early stage.

The Athy fire, which was reported shortly after midnight, destroyed the former Peerless Rugs factory in the industrial estate off the Abbeyleix Road. Six units of Kildare Fire Brigade brought the fire under control.

Sixty-four former Peerless staff ended their sit-in at the factory in March this year after reaching agreement on redundancy payments. They began the protest in July 2001 after Refond eased production and put Peerless into receivership.

Production was switched to the Refond plant at the Sunbeam industrial estate in Cork, which burned down yesterday.

A Garda spokesman said the scene in Athy had been sealed off and a technical team was due to conduct forensic tests later today.

Referring to the Cork fire, he said the fire brigade is fully in control of the situation. There were no injuries reported in either fire.

Up to 150 jobs at the Refond plant, which makes ski-wear, bedding and rugs, are now at risk. Staff are due to meet in a Cork hotel later today to discuss their future.

The Sunbeam building, a 200-year-old listed building, was also destroyed in the blaze. It was vacant, but Refond were using it as a store room.