Two treated at scene following overnight apartment fire in Laois

Two people required medical attention following a fire at an apartment in Portarlington shortly after midnight last night. 

The fire at an apartment in a three storey apartment building on the Link Road near Portarlington Fire Station was attended by crews from  Portarlington and Mountmellick. It's the second fire at an apartment block in Portarlington in a fortnight. 

“Laois County Council Fire Authority personnel responded to an apartment fire within a three storey apartment premises at 00:32 today.

The apartment building is in proximity to Portarlington Fire Station and the R420 / Link Road

On arrival, fire crews from Portarlington and Mountmellick entered the building wearing self-contained breathing apparatus and quickly contained the fire,” Laois Fire and Rescue Services said in statement. 

They said “both occupants of the apartment received treatment at the scene from crew members of the National Ambulance Service.” 

Laois Fire and Rescue Service highlighted the importance of early detection and urged people to ensure fire alarms are operational. 

“The building’s Fire Detection and Alarm system provided early warning to the occupants of the apartment block and allowed for the quick response of the local fire crews and contributed to the subsequent successful outcome of the incident.

The occupants of the apartment building, and all emergency services personnel responding on scene, benefitted from the early warning provided by the fire alarm system and therefore we are encouraging all apartment building owners / managers / residents to make sure that the fire detection and alarms system is working and being serviced regularly,” they said. 

Gardaí said the fire is believed to have broken out in a rear bedroom of an apartment.

Further information regarding fire safety in the home is available at  www.laois.ie and in the emergency service guidance leaflets