'Words can’t describe it': Blackpool left reeling following fire at Healy’s Bakery

Update 11.30am: Members of the Blackpool community have said they are “devastated” and “shocked” following fire damage to Healy’s Bakery this morning.

The bakery, located on 94 Great William O'Brien Street, Blackpool, has been owned by the same family for six generations, and was established in 1862, making them Cork’s oldest bakery.

Rachel Healy, the owner, shared on Facebook this morning: 

“Our sincere apologies to everyone collecting cakes for the foreseeable future. Due to fire we are closed.” 

Speaking this morning outside the premises, Ms Healy said the bakery had suffered extensive damage and she and her team were grateful no one was hurt. 

More than a dozen people were evacuated from a nearby building as a precaution but no injuries were reported. 

“Someone went in at 5am, he went off to do deliveries, and when the other person came in at 6am, the place was on fire," Ms Healy said. 

“They don’t know how it started…. they just don’t know what happened, I’m waiting for the crime scene investigators checking it out.” 

She explained that the fire brigade had also been on the scene, and that water had to be turned off as it had flooded the premises.

The damage is extensive, and mostly at the back of the shop, she added, saying: “Thank God nobody was hurt, that’s the main thing. Hopefully we’ll get it fixed and get it sorted.” 

She again apologised to all customers who had orders for collection, saying that she expects it will take them a while to reopen.

Shock in local area 

Louise Jordan, chairperson of the Blackpool Community Centre, told The Echo: “Rachel and her family have been here forever.

“We ran down this morning because we were just really concerned for Rachel, we’re so delighted nobody was hurt. 

“We are sure Rachel will rebuild and bring the business back better than ever.

“It’s a terrible thing to happen especially right at the beginning of the year so it’s really awful timing, and awful for all the staff too.

“This will be a huge loss for the community, people go in their for their cakes and she has a coffee machine, we’re hopeful she will build it back up.” 

Tom Dennehy, the owner at Dennehy’s Fish Shop said it was: “Very shocking altogether, I’m absolutely devastated for Rachel.

“The bakery has been here a long time, and it’s just awful for the whole area – people come get their cakes, get their fish, get their hair cut and this is another blow to the area.

“It’s just shocking and I feel very sorry for her, business is so hard at the moment anyway with the costs, every business is finding it difficult and to come into that this morning must have been terrible.

“We all help each other out in the area and look out for each other as best we can, so it’s really devastating.

“That everything could be grand yesterday then gone today – words can’t describe it.”

Earlier: Emergency services are at the scene of a fire at a commercial premises in Blackpool. 

The fire occurred at Healy's Bakery on Great William O'Brien St.

Crews from Cork City Fire Brigade attended the incident just after 6.30am and remain at the scene. 

Approximately 20 people were evacuated from a surrounding apartment as a precaution.

No one has required hospital treatment. 

A garda spokesperson said:

"Gardaí are assisting Fire Services at the scene of an industrial fire at [a] premises on Great William O’Brien Street, Cork."

Traffic management is currently in place.