A shopping centre in Mullingar, Co Westmeath, was closed yesterday after a fire broke out in a storage shed behind two of the stores in the centre.
Four units of the fire brigade brought the blaze under control after it spread, following an explosion. According to local reports, the fire broke out in the storage shed in a yard behind Penneys and Marks Spencer at Fairgreen, in the town.
A number of cars were damaged in the blaze. The area has been sealed off for a forensic examination to be carried out.