Six families were evacuated from their homes in Midleton, east Co Cork, yesterday after a fire broke out at a sports centre.
The blaze in the community centre at Bailick Road generated considerable smoke, leading fire-fighters to evacuate families from nearby houses.
The fire started at the indoor running track, an extension to the community centre, at around 9.30 a.m. but was spotted quickly and the alarm was raised.
Two units from Midleton fire brigade joined two more from Cobh. Together they spent several hours bringing the fire under control.
Garda technical experts later sealed off the area and carried out a forensic examination to establish the cause of the blaze.
While a full assessment of the loss has yet to be finalised, the cost of the damage to the community centre is expected to run to several thousand pounds.