Apartment residents had to evacuate after fire in car park in Cork

Olivia Kelleher

Residents of apartments above a shopping centre in Mallow, Co Cork were evacuated from their homes on Sunday after a car caught fire in an underground car park in an apparent case of spontaneous combustion.

The incident occurred shortly after 6pm on Sunday. Plumes of smoke quickly engulfed a section of the shopping centre car park.

Cork North Central Independent TD Ken O’Flynn indicated that fortunately nobody was injured in the incident.

“The incident involved a diesel car, and while it was serious, there has (also) been no significant damage to the building or surrounding infrastructure. Only the vehicles were affected. I am grateful that everyone is safe!”

Firefighters from Mallow Fire Station and gardaí attended at the scene.

The Market Square shopping centre is open this morning but the car park remains closed to allow for a clean up of the area.

It is understood that a small number of residents were asked to evacuate their apartments for about three hours on sunday to guarantee their safety.