A health and safety investigation has been launched at the scene of the fatal fire at the Ispat steel plant in Co Cork this morning which resulted in the death of one of the company’s employees.
Employee Mr Thomas Edward Mulcahy (54) died and three others were treated in hospital in the fire at the Ispat International steel plant in Haulbowline Co Cork. Two of the men, who were fireman, were later released from Cork University Hospital after being treated since been released from hospital.
The alarm was raised at 2 a.m. when clouds of dense smoke were seen coming from the melt shop area of the plant. It took ten units of Cork fire fighters over three hours to bring the blaze under control.
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) are conducting the primary investigation into the fire in parallel with the Cork Fire Authorities. Garda technical experts are also at examining the scene.
Earlier the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) carried out an on-site investigation into environmental risks. The EPA said there appears to be no danger of chemical emissions from the fire.
According to the EPA's Dr Gerry Byrne the fire was confined to an administrative building which had a small chemical laboratory attached to it. He said "no significant quantity of chemicals" were involved.
Dr Byrne said it appears the water used to quell the fire has stayed on site and contained normal burnt wood and materials. He said there was nothing unusual in the emissions from the blaze.
Irish Ispat Limited issued a statement today extending its condolences to the family of the victim. It said investigations were ongoing and that it would not be issuing any further statement at this time.
The Labour Affairs Minister, Mr Tom Kitt, has also expressed his sympathy to the family of the deceased and wished those injured in the accident a quick recovery. He said the HSA is keeping him informed on the progress of its investigation.
The steel plant employs some 300 people is the only such plant of its kind in Ireland.
The EPA is currently examining an application for an integrated pollution control licence from Ispat and expect a result within the next six weeks. "It is an old plant and there has been a long issue with locals over dust and noise levels from the plant," said Dr Byrne.
Ispat International acquired it from state-owned Irish Steel in 1996.