The community of Buncrana is left reeling this morning following a major fire which destroyed two iconic buildings on main street.
John Barr’s drapery store and the Buncrana Plaza were gutted by flames in the fire which broke out after 9pm on Sunday night.
Six fire units from Donegal and Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service battled the blaze through the night, with over 60 fire fighters in action at its peak.
The fire was eventually brought under control and the scene is blocked off today for examinations. No injuries were sustained in the incident.
The scene of last night’s fire on Buncrana Main Street. Photo: Northwest Newspix
Commenting today, Cllr Jack Murray of Inishowen MD said that the situation could have been much worse without the massive efforts of the fire service.
Cllr Murray said: “I have to commend the fire fighters for all they did last night. I was at the scene at 8am this morning and there were fire fighters who were there since 9pm. If it wasn’t for them this would have been much worse.
“The Plaza building goes so deep back down from the street that the fire nearly reached the Tyre Centre behind it. If that went up this would have been a much worse situation.”
Local businesses and residents have been shocked to see the aftermath of the fire as two of Buncrana’s most well-known buildings lie in ruin today.
Cllr Murray said: “The community is devastated. John Barr’s shop supplied nearly every school uniform in Inishowen. The Plaza is the centre of the town. Any community fundraiser, concert or gig would have been there and people all have fond memories of it.
“When you walked into the plaza, the entrance was full of black and white photos of dances from the 50s and long ago. Generations of people enjoyed it.
“From the plaza you can see a list of gigs they had planned. It’s vital to the community to have a venue like that.”
The area remains closed off this Monday morning for safety precautions.
Main Street in Buncrana is closed from West End to Market Square, Ferris Lane and all footpaths at Upper Main Street are closed. Diversions are in place.
Local residents were evacuated during the night due to airborne asbestos inhalation fears. Those residents have now been allowed to return to their homes.
Some nearby businesses and residential properties were also without electricity this morning.
The fire services and local authority are currently working to ensure the area is completely safe before diversions are lifted.
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