Large bicycle store 'completely gutted' by fire near Swords

FIRE DESTROYED a large bicycle retail store near Swords, Co Dublin, yesterday.

Six fire engines were sent to the blaze at Eurocycles Eurobaby in Airside Retail Park shortly after 4,30pm.

The fire in two units, B1 and B2, was brought under control in two hours and no one was hurt.

Owner Liam Sutcliffe said the store was "completely gutted" but said Christmas commitments to customers would be honoured.

He said he was in the head office on the Longmile Road when he got a phone call to say that there was smoke in the Airside storeroom and the fire alarm had gone off. The manager of the Airside premises had evacuated the building and called the fire brigade.

"I went straight across with my brother. We weren't expecting to see what we saw. The building was completely gutted; all the stock was destroyed. We have a staff of nine out there and we have to look after them."

However, Mr Sutcliffe said he hoped to be able to open in a new unit some time next week.

"We have to make sure Santy comes to Swords. It's very bad timing. Obviously we have a lot of orders."

He said he could not put an immediate value on the goods and premises, but said "I imagine it's in the region of millions".

A spokesman for the fire service described the fire as "fairly severe".

Two fire engines remained at the scene late last night.