Latest: Gardaí appeal for witnesses to 'criminal damage by fire' in Cork city, as three people hospitalised

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses after an incident of criminal damage by fire at a home in a suburb of Cork city left three people hospitalised and a fourth person needing medical attention.

They are appealing to anyone who was in the Clarke’s Road area of Ballyphehane between 6am and 7am this morning, and who may have information, to contact investigating Gardaí.

Anyone with camera footage - including dash-cam - is asked to make that footage available.

Gardaí and emergency services responded to the fire, which occurred at approximately 6.35am this morning, at a domestic residence on Clarke’s Rd, Ballyphehane.

A spokesperson for Cork City Fire Brigade said three units of the service had attended the fire, and a nine-year-old child, a man in his late 20s, and a woman in her 40s were brought to Cork University Hospital (CUH) for treatment for smoke inhalation.

A fourth person, a man in his 50s, was treated for smoke inhalation at the scene.

The fire brigade spokesperson said the blaze was well established when fire service personnel arrived at the scene.

“The front door of the house was on fire and there was a fire in the top of the stairs as well,” they said.

“Our officers were deployed into the house with hose and, wearing breathing apparatus, they extinguished the fire.” The house was earlier preserved by gardaí for a technical examination, gardaí said, with investigations ongoing.

A spokesperson for An Garda Síochána told The Echo:

“Gardaí are appealing for witnesses following an incident of criminal damage by fire that was reported at a domestic residence in the Clarkes Road area of Ballyphehane, Cork city this Monday morning, February 23 at approximately 6.35 am.

“Fire Services extinguished the fire.

“A male in his 20s, a female child and a male in his 50s were conveyed to Cork University Hospital for treatment of injuries,” they said.

“A technical examination of the scene has been conducted.

“Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to this incident to contact them. Anyone who was in the Clarkes Road area between 6am and 7am this morning, Monday February 23, and who may have any information is asked to contact investigating Gardaí.

“Anyone with camera footage - including dash-cam - is asked to make that footage available,” the spokesperson said.

Gardaí can be contacted at Bridewell Garda Station, Cork on 021 4943330, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.