Gardaí are investigating a fire at the Key Tech Plastics factory on the New Mallow Road in Cork city last night.
The factory, which makes plastic mouldings, employs 75 people.
According to gardaí, the fire broke out at around 12.45 a.m. A local Garda unit on patrol noticed flames coming out the roof of the fact building and called the fire brigade.
Five units of Cork City brigade arrived shortly afterwards, but the fire had already badly damaged the building and spread to a neighbouring building, which also suffered damage.
READ MORE
The fire was brought under control after a half-hour. No one was injured.
A Garda forensic team is examining the site this morning, but it is not yet known what caused the fire.