Evidence West Roscommon fires were started deliberately, says fire service

Evidence suggests that the fires that have engulfed large parts of West Roscommon were started deliberately, Roscommon Fire Service has said.

In a statement, the service said it responded to multiple fires yesterday afternoon near Loughglynn, West Roscommon.

“A total of 40-50 firefighters from five fire stations, Ballaghaderreen, Ballyhaunis, Boyle, Charlestown and Elphin, worked to contain several blazes across an area of approximately 800 acres.

“Significant areas of bogland gorse were engulfed by the fires and fire crews focussed their work on protecting a number of forestry plantations comprising almost 150 acres as well as around 30 homes and farms within this block of land.” It added that another fire broke out in the nearby Carrowbehy and Gorthaganny areas later in the evening, with crews attending until midnight.

“Around 20 firefighters returned this morning to prevent further spread and there are a number of smaller forestry plantations at risk,” it said.

It added that evidence suggests the fires were deliberately started along road edges, with the wind spreading the flames to adjacent land where the dry grass provided fuel for these fires to spread rapidly.

“We urge the public to report any suspicious activity, as reckless actions put homes and livelihoods at unacceptable risk.”