The owner of the Moto Pitstop motorcycle service centre in Rathgar, south Dublin, Daragh Smith, said his business is “gone” with bikes for sale and repair destroyed in the blaze.
But the most important thing for him was “human life” and that his employee, a mechanic in his late 40s, had made it out of the premises alive.
“He has burns on his legs and hand,” Mr Smith said.
He told how the mechanic had walked away from the blaze dazed but was “doing well” in St James’ Hospital in Dublin.
We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity.
“I’ve just left James’ Hospital and his partner is in there with him. I wasn't there (at the workshop) at the time this happened,” he said.
“It’s a miracle that he got out. He’s so lucky to have got out. I was out collecting parts in the van and when I came back then, the whole of Rathgar was closed.
“Someone had rang me and said the place was on fire. I thought it was just a bit of smoke (from a repair).
“But I rang the shop and then his mobile and it went straight to voicemail and that never happens.
“So, I dumped the van at home and went straight in on my bike. I got there and then I saw what everyone else has seen.”
A spokesperson for Dublin Fire Brigade said they're making “good progress" and that two fire engines remain at the scene in addition to a foam tender. Earlier, a turntable ladder was deployed to fight the fire from above.
"A water tanker has also been sent to augment water supplies to the fireground. One person has been taken to hospital from the scene,” they said.
Road closures remain in place on Terenure Road East, Highfield Road and Orwell Road.
Mr Smith said the intensity of the blaze would have been as a result of the workshop obviously being filled with oil.
“All my bikes, customers’ bikes are gone,” he said. “It’s a disaster. I have no idea how much I’ve lost but my business is gone.
“It was a business that paid its way. I am just worried for him now. I know he will be okay but it’ll be a hard time for a while.
“The doctors seemed to be happy with him. He doesn’t remember an explosion, he just remembers bits and pieces. I’m sure he will.”
Mr Smith said the mechanic is stable in hospital. He added: “I am just trying to get through today and tomorrow now.”
An onlooker from a business nearby took video footage of the scene and audible popping sounds could be heard from inside the workshop, where the fire was growing in intensity.
Images online show clouds of black smoke rising from the scene of the incident.
Mark Duffy, who works at Howley Souhan Estate Agents, across from the workshop, said he and colleagues heard a small explosion at about 10.20am.
“I don't think anyone quite knows what caused it. A huge amount of smoke came out of the workshop and there was a thick tyre smell,” he said.
“My female colleague, a manager here, saw a gentleman. I think he was the only one in there at the time. He was walking (down the street) in shock.
“The gardaí evacuated the street then, so we had to leave. We just hope that poor man is OK. It was all very shocking.
“We were worried that there might be other people in there, but it seemed to be just him in there at the time.
We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity.
“You could hear the popping of the engines of the bikes that were in the shop, there was so much smoke everywhere. It was a really powerful fire.
“But the fire brigade were there so quickly, thankfully.”
A spokesperson for Dublin Fire Brigade said: “At 10:18am, Dublin Fire Brigade received reports of a fire in a workshop in Rathgar Village.
“Firefighters from Donnybrook, Rathfarnham and Dolphins Barn fire stations responded to the location, where a well-developed fire had taken hold.
“Smoke is drifting across the locality, and we have asked nearby residents to take precautions if they are affected. Road closures are in place and road users are advised to avoid the area.”
from "workshop" - Google News https://ift.tt/xI0jVL8
via IFTTT
No comments:
Post a Comment