Building 'earmarked to house asylum seekers' in Dublin erupts in flames just days after protests outside
Building earmarked to house asylum seekers in Dublin erupts in flames just days after protests outside
Dublin Fire Brigade
A fire has broken out at a building that was being renovated to reportedly house asylum seekers in Dublin.
Multiple units of the Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB) were called out after a blaze broke out at the former Crown Paints factory on the Malahide Road at around 9pm.
Gardai were also deployed to the scene.
Earlier this week, protests broke out at the centre after people opposed its alleged repurposing into a site for refugees.
Building earmarked to house asylum seekers in Dublin erupts in flames just days after protests outsideDublin Fire BrigadeThe fire at the former Crown Paints factory in Coolock has since been brought under control.
A DFB spokesperson said: "Two fire engines are on scene at a fire in the former Crown paints building in Coolock.
"The fire in a lobby area has been contained and we expect firefighting operations to be wound down soon."
A Garda spokeswoman said: "Gardaí and emergency services are currently at the scene of an incident in which a fire has broken out at a premises on the Malahide Road, Coolock, Dublin 17.
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Multiple units of the Dublin Fire Brigade were called out after a blaze broke out
"The Malahide Road at Coolock remains open in both directions at this time. As this is a live and ongoing operation, An Garda Síochána has no further information."
Numerous protesters have demonstrated outside the centre amid the reported plans.
Since March, a protest camp has been in place outside the factory.
Taoiseach Simon Harris has condemned the scenes which have been taking place outside of an asylum centre, calling them "reprehensible".
Some 15 people have been charged with public order offences after the anti-immigration protest led to clashes with the police.