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A fire broke out at the Port of Cork on Saturday morning.
The blaze erupted at Ringaskiddy Deepwater Berth at the R&H Hall grain store facility which contains raw materials for animal feed such as soya, hulls, gluten and distillers among others.
It is understood that extensive damage has been caused to the 30,000t facility which is mainly used as a buffer store to enable the unloading of ships.
The majority of the contents of the stores has been lost for use as feed, adding further to the current supply difficulties with some of these products.
The Port of Cork has confirmed that the fire is now under control and there are no reports of any casualties. All ship operations in Ringaskiddy have been suspended until further notice.
Emergency evacuation
The port activated its emergency plan, involving an evacuation of the area. Fire brigade units remain at the scene.
Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue took to Twitter to praise the efforts of the authorities who attended Saturday’s blaze.
“I commend the speed and skill of the emergency services in bringing this fire under control. Heartening to see no reported casualties. I will be engaging with authorities on site in the coming days.”
Firefighters tackling the blaze which has broken out at the R & H Hall animal grain storage facility @PortofCork deep water facility #Ringaskiddy - Port Emergency plan has been activated @rtenews pic.twitter.com/9pfPvzSsAs
— JennïeØSullivân (@OSullivanJennie) January 9, 2021
Smoke from the fire has been sighted approximately 15km to the east in Midleton.
Wider view from here - this is from outside Midleton. pic.twitter.com/uuLgUUR3ZF
— Bill Linnane (@Bill_Linnane) January 9, 2021
Previous fire
A fire took place at an R&H Hall grain store facility previously in 2006, approximately 10km north of Ringaskiddy on Kennedy Quay.
The blaze gutted a silo which is located on a 30-acre storage depot close to the heart of Cork city.
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