Tag Archives: evacuated

RESIDENTS in South-East Clare have been evacuated from their homes after rising flood waters cut off access to their dwellings. Two families in Springfield, Clonlara, had to be assisted from their homes on Sunday as the road close to their homes is now impassable. At least ten houses in the Springfield area are at risk of flooding following huge volumes of rainfall in recent weeks and a prediction of between 20 and 25 millimetres of rain on Sunday night. More than 7,000 sandbags and pumping stations have been delivered to houses in the locality as part of a flood management plan being implemented by Clare County Council. Residents are facing a very difficult battle as flood waters have risen by five and a half inches over a 12-hour period from 9am on Sunday. It is estimated that flood waters were rising by half an inch on Sunday night. Speaking to the Clare Champion, resident Geraldine Quinlivan was distraught as she …

A bus carrying students from Ennis to Cork burst into flames as it was driven through the town of Buttevant on Monday. The dramatic scenes were captured by eyewitness John Sweeney from Clare who was a passenger in a passing vehicle. He told The Clare Champion, “There was a lot of smoke, there were no flames but there was a smell of burning rubber. It looked like all the kids were off the bus and everyone was ok.” @clarechampion pic.twitter.com/bZvRAu5Gn6 — John Sweeney (@sundaycottage) April 25, 2016 It is understood that the driver of the bus has been taken to hospital for treatment, and all of the students are reported as safe and well. Firefighters from Mallow and Charleville arrived at the scene to fight the blaze and the road was closed for a time.

An elderly man had a lucky escape last night after his home at Mc Hugh Villas in Ennis was extensively damaged by fire. The alarm was raised shortly before 7pm when neighbours noticed a fire in the front room of the end-of-terrace bungalow. McHugh Villas is an estate primarily occupied by elderly residents. It’s understood the man tried to bring the outbreak under control initially before the fire services were alerted. Three units of the fire brigade along with gardaí from Ennis responded to the incident. Fire personnel quickly set about tackling the blaze and firemen battled to ensure the fire didn’t spread to adjoining property. The fire was brought under control within 30 minutes.