Several units of the fire brigade are attempting to bring a major fire at the former Donaghy’s Mill site in Drogheda, Co Louth, under control.
The building, a former shoe factory and one time home to a pirate radio station located on the banks of the Boyne River, has been vacant for a number of years.
The roof of the detached multiple-bay four-storey former mill, built circa 1820, has collapsed and the building has been completely gutted.
Tonight's massive fire in Drogheda is spectacular to look at but sad to see such an old building finally go. Latest news from The @IrishTimes here https://t.co/Mt4wMA1ssB pic.twitter.com/Cmve2XUwmL
— Paddy Logue (@paddylogue) March 15, 2019
The blaze sent plumes of smoke into the skies above Drogheda on Friday evening.
Trinity Street has been closed to outbound traffic between George’s Street and Ashfield Green due to the fire. AA Roadwatch said inbound traffic on the route was heavy and advised motorists to exercise caution as smoke may affect visibility.
The mill was once home to Boyneside Radio. A former radio presenter said it was “so sad to see the building gutted. It was also sad to see it fall into disrepair as it was once home to hundreds of people who worked there when it was a shoe factory”.
There are no reports of any casualties.