Gardaí are investigating a suspected arson attack after a fire broke out at an apartment block in Navan, Co Meath, on Monday evening.
According to a Garda statement, a number of residents had to be evacuated from the apartments at Academy Square. The building itself and a number of cars have been damaged. No injuries were reported.
According to the apartment block’s management, over 100 people were evacuated from two buildings. “We engaged with the residents, all of the landlords and letting agents. Because these two buildings are unsafe, there are no fire alarms or emergency lightning, these people are temporarily homeless,” explained Alan Grehan, director of Oriel Property Management.
According to Mr Grehan, Meath County Council is responsible for providing emergency accommodation for those who cannot return to their homes. “Everybody was informed that the authority here is Meath County Council, you need to contact them,” he said. “They were looking at providing emergency accommodation.
“I believe they have done that in Drogheda and a number of residents turned up there last night. I believe a number of people refused it, I don’t know the exact numbers.”
In a statement, Meath County Council said that its housing department has worked to assist residents, including “the provision of emergency accommodation where appropriate.”
Mr Grehan said that it is difficult to say how long it will take to ensure the buildings are safe once again, but that the relevant insurance company has appointed an assessor and an initial inspection is expected to take place soon. He also said that contractors are undergoing “emergency work” on the buildings’ sewage system and carpark, which endured extensive damage.
One tenant who lives in an adjacent apartment block that narrowly escaped and was not evacuated said more needed to be done to help find temporary homes for those forced to move out.
Alok Dubey (39), who has lived in his apartment for about six months with his wife and two children, estimated about 35 families have been badly affected.
“Things are really, really bad for them and there is no electricity or water in their apartments,” he said. “People are trying to help each other.”
Mr Dubey said they took in a family of four on Monday night but they were relocated to shared accommodation the following day.
However, some are concerned about the future. Mr Dubey noted one family who had returned to their home country for a holiday only to hear about the fire over the phone. With no guarantee of temporary housing, they are worried for their jobs if they cannot return.
“They should be providing accommodation not too far [away] so that people can do their jobs,” he said, appealing to both Meath County Council and the Government for additional help. He also noted that residents now had to pay for street parking as a result of the damage and that they had been told repairs could take up to six months.
“It’s not like [officials] are not trying [to help] but it should be a little more,” he said.
Gardaí say they first received reports of the fire in progress at an underground car-park in the apartment building shortly before 7pm.
“The scene was preserved and a technical examination was conducted. An investigation at Navan Garda station is underway,” reads a statement from gardaí.
Gardaí are appealing to any person who may have been in the Academy Street area between 6pm and 7pm on Monday, August 7th, 2023 and observed any activity which drew their attention to come forward.
Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the Academy Street area at these times are asked to make this footage available to gardaí. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Navan Garda station on 046 9036100, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
