Work about to start to rebuild burnt Portlaoise council houses

Work is soon to start to rebuild and renovate two Portlaoise council houses that were badly damaged in a fire almost four years ago.

Laois County Council has given an update on its plans for the two adjoining houses, numbers 13 and 14 Lakeglen, off the Mountmellick road.

They say that work will start this spring, quarter one of 2025.

Using a contractor, they will build a complete new four storey two bedroom house, and renovate the three bedroom house that was damaged by the fire. In 2023 Laois County Council said it expects to spend upwards of €700,000 to replace them.

Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley welcomed the planned works.

"This is very welcome," she said at the January council meeting.

It is two years since she complained to the council about the slow progress on knocking and rebuilding the houses. 

The fire had begun in number 13 and spread to number 14, in April 2021, leading to two households having to be rehomed.

A Garda investigation was held at the time to ascertain the cause of the fire. 

The council demolished number 13 in mid 2024, putting up hoarding. They had sought funding approval from the Department of Housing to demolish both properties but were only given limited approval to knock the most damaged house.

The length of time it took for demolition was criticised by Cllr Dwane Stanley in the past.

In 2023 she reported that dumping and rats were on the properties, creating an eyesore and a health concern for residents in the estate.

In 2022 she described the site as an eyesore, saying it was unfair to residents to leave it for so long.