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Council insists water pressure adequate at pub blaze

Friday, 26 June 2009

DÚN Laoghaire Rathdown County Council has vehemently rejected suggestions that low water pressure at fire hydrants in the local authority area hampered efforts by Dublin Fire Brigade to put out a blaze that destroyed a landmark Killiney pub. Crews battling the massive fire that gutted the Graduate Pub in Killiney had to transport water 12km across the city as they could not get enough water at the site of the blaze. The fire broke out at about 10am on Monday last (June 15). Seven units of Dublin Fire Brigade fought for several hours to bring it under control but there were no injuries. It is understood that fire personnel first had to travel to the brigade's training centre in Marino before then transporting a massive tanker to Killiney because they could not source sufficient water in the area. Deputy Ciaran Cuffe (GP) said local residents voiced concerns following reports that low water pressure in the area had hampered efforts to extinguish the blaze. He has called on the local authority to investigate the matter. “It appears that nearby water mains had insufficient water pressure and hoses had to be run from several hundred metres away,” he said “I’ve written to the County Manager asking him to investigate reports of low water pressure in the area where the fire occurred on Monday. “We’ve seen a spate of new planning applications for apartments on Church Road,” he added. “The incident at the Graduate Pub raises issues about the ability of the water supplies to cope with this additional pressure.” A spokeswoman for Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council said they had investigated the matter and that despite some “misleading comments” they found the water pressure in the area was “adequate” on the day of the fire. “Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council is satisfied that the water mains in the Killiney, Church Road area had adequate pressure on the morning of June 15 and that there are no general supply or pressure constraints in the area,” she said. The council is also satisfied that the Church Road reservoir provides the necessary water for the area at all times. “The Chief Fire Officer in Dublin City Council has confirmed that a hydrant was located relatively quickly by the Fire Brigade who arrived on the scene within seven minutes of receiving a call,” the spokesperson added. “It became clear, however, that due to the number of appliances in use extra hydrants would be required. Suitable hydrants, which delivered water at adequate pressure were identified with the assistance of council officials. While additional water tankers were summoned this is not uncommon for a fire of this size.” Shocked onlookers, including staff and owners of nearby businesses, gathered as the fire crews battled the blaze. The force of the fire caused the roof of the premises to collapse. Surrounding businesses were also evacuated and closed for the day. Meanwhile, in a separate incident, dozens of houses were evacuated last Wednesday (June 17) as firefighters battled a major blaze at a disused factory in Inchicore. People from as far away as Finglas on the Northside were able to see the thick plumes of smoke from the fire that broke out at the former Knorr soup and Lyons tea factory at Davitt Road at about 5.30pm. Homes and shops along Kilworth Road and the surrounding area were evacuated as thick smoke blanketed much of the area. Ten units of Dublin Fire Brigade eventually succeeded in extinguishing the blaze and fortunately no one was injured.