Probe underway after fire at Donegal building housing asylum seekers

Several people were hospitalised following a fire at a premises in Buncrana in Co Donegal in the early hours of this morning (Tuesday January 9).

The Donegal Fire Service and members of An Garda Síochána responded to the incident at Main Street, Buncrana shortly after 1am.

“All occupants of the building were evacuated safely,” a Garda spokesperson said.

“A number of persons were taken to Letterkenny University Hospital for possible smoke inhalation.”

The apartments are above a business premises in the town.

The blaze is understood to have broken out in an area of a building being used as international protection accommodation.

While early indications suggest that the fire was not started maliciously, a full investigation will take place.

A spokesperson said: “Preliminary indications are that the fire started and was confined within one room within the building.

“An Garda Síochána will carry out a technical examination of this fire scene, which will determine the course of any other investigations.”