Residents of apartments above Cork shopping complex evacuated after car fire in underground car park

Residents of apartments above the Dunnes Stores complex in Mallow had to be evacuated from the building on Sunday evening after a car in the underground car park caught fire in an apparent incident of spontaneous combustion.

A crew from Mallow Fire Station and Gardaí attended the scene and, according to newly Cork North Central TD, Ken O’Flynn, put in motion an emergency plan to get people out of the building safely.

It’s understood that the car which caught fire was a diesel vehicle and this led to a cloud of black smoke billowing out of the building which is across the road from Mallow Court House.

“Great praise is due to the Fire Station crew and Gardaí who arrived on the scene and were quick to act and get people out of the building,” said Mr O’Flynn. “They’re wonderful people."

“It was a freak accident and could have happened anywhere,” he said.

The extent of the damage caused by the blaze is unknown as yet.

Residents were allowed to return to their apartments shortly before 9pm and cars were also allowed to leave the area.

A spokesman for Mallow Fire Station told The Echo on Sunday evening that the fire had been brought under control.