LIVE: Fire services battling blaze near Limerick village

EMERGENCY services are tackling a gorse fire outside the village of Athea this Monday evening.

The blaze is on bogland in the townland of Blaine.

Fire services from across Limerick and the wider region were in attendance at the scene. It's understood they were on site from around 7pm.

As of around 9.40pm this Monday night, they had gotten a handle on the fire, Limerick Live understands.

But concern has been raised from some locals as to the plight of animals who might have been caught in the gorse fire.

Below: A video taken of the fire earlier this evening

Fire in Blaine, near the village of Athea in #Limerick this Monday evening. This footage was taken from earlier in the night. Full story online at #LimerickLive/ @Limerick_Leader shortly. ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/HxLf2XKHwU

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"It's something that happens out here. When you get a dry spell at this time of the year, there is dead growth, which dries on top of the bog. It has to have been started in some shape or form by somebody. It was a regular occurence years ago, but we don't see it as much nowadays," said one local.

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They said the forestry itself does not appear to have been badly impacted.

At least two of the fire trucks have departed the scene.

"A certain amount of it can be left to burn out, as it will not cause any material damage to trees or anything," the local added.