Fireworks reported following Mountmellick wildfire as Laois Gardaí continue investigation

The fire in Mountmellick's Smiths Field / Kirwan Park on Thursday, July 30, and a fireworks wrapper pictured discarded in Kirwan Park on the day. | Leinster Express

placeholder image — The fire in Mountmellick's Smiths Field / Kirwan Park on Thursday, July 30, and a fireworks wrapper pictured discarded in Kirwan Park on the day. | Leinster Express

Laois Gardaí urge reporting of fireworks with wildfire in Mountmellick still under investigation

Laois Gardaí have appealed for more information into a wildfire that threatened a housing estate with hundreds of homes in Mountmellick recently.

There were local reports that fireworks were being set alight before the fire, but Gardaí say they received no formal complaints.

However a Garda spokesperson has confirmed that two official calls were made by the public reporting fireworks being set off in the area, the next day, July 31.

“We have been trying to prevent such activities,” a spokesperson told the Leinster Express regarding fireworks.

The fire took place on Thursday evening, July 30 in Laois County Council’s section of Smiths Field which lies between Kirwan Park and College Avenue housing estates.

It quickly spread south across the dry meadow and set alight a hedgerow adjoining a garden in Kirwan Park, with smoke filling the sky. A filled skip that was in a driveway also caught fire.

Flames and smoke fill the sky during Mountmellick wildfire on Thursday, July 30. | Leinster Express

Some residents were evacuated from their homes and urged to close their windows because of the smoke.

Fire crews from Mountmellick aided by a second crew from Laois County Fire & Rescue Service safely extinguished the fire, with multiple members of An Garda Síochána also at the scene.

Public comments posted on the Leinster Express / Laois Live story link, claim that fireworks were to blame.

“And yet more fire works went off after emergency service left,” one person said.

“Someone was setting off fireworks in the field earlier, they've been at it all week,” another said.

“Someone letting of fireworks around that time,” another said.

Ireland was under a Condition Orange – High Fire Risk warning at the time, with the public asked to report suspicious activity in spaces open to the public.

Laois Gardaí are urging the public to call 999 without delay if they have a concern.

“Reporting by Whatsapp to a Garda is not a report. Calling 999 will put the report on record.”

An investigation into the fire continues. Anyone with information is asked to phone Portlaoise or Mountmellick Garda Station.