Posted online: Mar 11th, 2010

Brave firefighter hospitalised in blaze

By Sinéad Flanagan
Editor

A BRAVE FIREFIGHTER is recovering having been hospitalised as a result of fighting an early morning blaze in a school in Athy last Friday, 5th March.
The local man who is believed to be in his late 30s, suffered an injury to his head from flying debris that was blasted from the building, such was the heat from the raging inferno.
The fire at Athy Model School, which is a 159 year old building, began at approx. 4.23am on Friday morning. Fire units were called from Athy, Newbridge and Monasterevin to assist in the incident. The emergency crew however, took much of the day to control the blaze, as it was almost 4pm on Friday afternoon by the time they left.
Luckily, the firefighter has since been released from Naas General Hospital and is now recovering in his home.
Fire Chief, Niall O’Riordan wished him a speedy recovery and remarked that the crew was called to the building “at least” twice over the course of the weekend, due to “hotspots” being uncovered that were beginning to light again.
Students from the school are expected to be back at the books on Thursday when classes are to begin for them in Athy College on the Monasterevin Road in the town. Principal Rose Lewis said: “A really big thanks to everyone for all their help and good wishes.”
Athy garda forensic team examined the scene over the weekend. An investigation has been launched into the incident.