Crime & Law

Homes evacuated after Carlow town premises targeted in arson attack

Fire breaks out as car is reversed into business below apartments on Lower Tullow Street

Gardaí are investigating an arson attack on a premises on Lower Tullow Street in in Carlow town centre
Gardaí are investigating an arson attack on a premises on Lower Tullow Street in in Carlow town centre
Sarah Slater
Mon Apr 08 2024 - 10:33

Gardaí in Carlow are following a number of lines of inquiry following an arson attack at a tanning and beauty salon which resulted in several apartments being evacuated.

The incident occurred at about 2.30am on Monday in Lower Tullow Street. It is believed a car was reversed into the salon before a fire broke out.

Fire units from Carlow town and Bagenalstown and gardaí were called to the scene and evacuated the apartments above the premises. The fire was quickly brought under control. None of the residents were injured.

The force of the crash effectively demolished the shopfront before the flames destroyed the tanning salon on the ground floor.

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The scene between Doyle’s corner and the Potato Market was sealed-off for several hours by gardai and fire units to allow for an examination by fire investigators and members of the Garda technical bureau. The car was also due to be examined in an attempt to establish if any accelerant was used.

Garda Chief Superintendent Anthony Farrell from Carlow Garda station confirmed there were a number of lines of inquiry into the incident, including whether a feud may have broken out between criminals in the area.

“This is a full investigation  and in the very early stages of it but we are treating it very seriously as people’s lives were put at risk,” said Supt Farrell.

Gardaí are also investigating if there is a link to a similar incident that happened just a few metres away on the opposite side of the same road. On May 17th, 2022, a car was reversed into another salon that was also badly damaged by the ensuing fire.

Gardaí are conducting door to door inquiries in the area and are also gathering CCTV footage, including from businesses close to where the incident happened. Anyone who may have video footage taken in the Tullow Street area around the time of the incident is asked to contact gardaí on (059) 9151222.

Mayor of Carlow and Fine Gael councillor Tom O’Neill said: “It’s shocking that such a fire broke out in the middle of the town centre. We owe a debt of gratitude to the fire services and the gardaí for getting to the scene so quickly and saving the lives of the apartment residents.

“The emergency services acted so quickly that they were able to stop the fire from spreading. They definitely saved the residents’ lives. I would appeal to anyone who may have witnessed the incident, have dashcam footage or CCTV to make it available to gardaí.”