Gardai confirm fire at Limerick petrol station was due to arson attack

GARDAI have confirmed that a fire in a busy Limerick petrol station was due to an arson attack.

It occurred at the Inver Service Station on the Old Cork Road, Limerick city around 3.30am in the early hours of bank holiday Monday.

Limerick Fire and Rescue Service crews bravely entered the highly dangerous and flammable situation and extinguished the blaze.

Firefighters spent around two hours at the scene and made the area safe for a technical examination to be carried out by garda forensic investigators.

READ MORE: Gardai investigate suspected arson attack on busy Limerick petrol station

Following the technical examination, a garda spokesperson said it is being treated as “an incident of criminal damage by fire”.

“Investigations are ongoing,” said the spokesperson.

It is not known if the perpetrators stole any goods from the store. It is understood that windows in the shopfront were smashed and some form of an accelerant used. 

The inside of the shop is believed to have suffered significant fire and smoke damage. 

A post on Inver Limerick’s social media accounts reads: “Our forecourt (Old Cork Road) is temporarily closed until further notice. Apologies for any inconvenience.”

One of those to comment underneath was local councillor, Catherine Slattery who wrote: “Sorry to hear this news. I hope there is not too much damage and the shop reopens soon.”

Others echoed her sentiments, saying, “A major loss to the community and all the poor staff now out of work. Hopefully you can reopen soon”.

Another wrote: “Shocking carry on. Sorry to hear this news - great shop with the best staff.”

Anybody who may have witnessed anybody acting suspiciously in the vicinity of the Inver Service Station on the Old Cork Road around 3.30am on Monday morning is asked to contact Roxboro Road garda station on 061 214340.