Latest: Fire crews responding to blaze at former Cork hotel say focus is on preventing fire from spreading

Firefighters are this evening responding to a number of incidents across the city including a fire at the Sunset Ridge Hotel near Blarney. 

Several units, supported by Cork County Fire units, are in attendance at the blaze in Killeens. 

Crews were called to the scene shortly before 7pm. 

Four fire crews from the city were joined by a crew from Mallow. 

Cork City Fire Brigade said it was utilising its aerial ladder platform to spray water from above the flames. 

In a social media post, the fire service said its focus was to keep the fire from spreading.

Fire crews said late this evening that the fire at the Sunset Ridge was “under control” but still burning.

The former hotel has suffered a number of fires over the years, including a significant blaze last summer, and was placed on the Derelict Sites Register last October.

Independent Cork city councillor Ken O’Flynn said as a result of what he called a “mindless and avoidable” incident, firefighters were tied up on what was already a busy night.

Firefighting operations are continuing at the Sunset Ridge Hotel.

Several of our units, supported by @corkcountyfire units are in attendance.

Our @bronto_skylift Aerial Ladder Platform is being put in position to spray water from above the flames. pic.twitter.com/oiKzbW5gmj

— Cork City Fire Brigade (@CorkCityFire) June 23, 2022

Crews have also responded to several bonfires. 

Bonfires were lit at several locations in a tradition said to date back to pre-Christian times.

The night of St John’s Eve is traditionally bonfire night in Cork city, or, as it is known in Cork, “Bonna Night”, and it is usually one of the busiest nights of the year for fire services in the city. 

A spokesperson for the fire service told the Echo that there were somewhere in the region of 45 bonfires in the city this evening. 

Crews are now dealing with a fire in the Sunset Ridge Hotel, near Blarney, along with several bonfires 🔥 #busy https://t.co/tOBEIg9Rmj

— Cork City Fire Brigade (@CorkCityFire) June 23, 2022

Separately, crews from Anglesea Street and Ballyvolane were called to attend a house fire on Ringmahon Road earlier this evening. 

In a post on social media, Cork City Fire Brigade said that firefighters wearing breathing apparatus had brought the fire at the house under control. 

Crews from Anglesea Street and Ballyvolane are dealing with a house fire on Ringmahon Road.

Firefighters wearing Breathing Apparatus have brought the fire under control 🔥 pic.twitter.com/qmAifYtCiA

— Cork City Fire Brigade (@CorkCityFire) June 23, 2022