Up to 40,000 letters and parcels may have been affected by a fire early yesterday on an An Post truck on its way from Dublin to Cork. A spokesman for An Post said some of the letters and package mail was burnt and damaged by smoke and water following the blaze.
The domestic mail on board was posted in Dublin and the Bray, Wicklow and Wexford areas and was destined for Cork. The truck also contained incoming international mail.
The fire broke out on the 40-foot truck at 2 a.m. near Fermoy, Co Cork. The vast majority of mail was not affected and was being re-sorted and examined by hand in Cork sorting office, the spokesman said.
Further details would be available next week and the issue of compensation did not arise until the extent of the damage was assessed, he said.
One of several post office drivers from Cork who recovered the mail was treated for smoke inhalation in hospital. The truck driver was not hurt in the blaze, which is believed to have started in a ruptured tyre. An Post customers can telephone (021) 272000 for further information.