A fire on Bray's Main Street caused significant traffic disruption in the Co Wicklow town before being brought under control on Friday evening.
Wicklow Fire Service battled to extinguish the blaze after smoke was spotted billowing from windows above the Florentine Pub and Hilton’s Pharmacy, near the junction of Main Street and Quinnsboro’ Road about 1.30am.
Flames could be seen coming from the back of the building throughout the night as units of Bray, Greystones and Wicklow town fire brigades responded.
Serious fire Main Street Bray overnight, 3 stations attended, Bray, Greystones, Wicklow Town. Still dealing with incident. @BrayTCouncil @wicklowcoco @gardai_ww pic.twitter.com/zDBehWBM5Z
— Wicklow Fire Service (@FireWicklow) January 4, 2019
Fire on Bray Main. @FireWicklow will be on site till early morning . Diversions in place @dublinbusnews @Aircoach @aaroadwatch @eastcoastfm @rtenews pic.twitter.com/LzW9W3sKl2
— Bray Municipal District - Wicklow County Council (@BrayTCouncil) January 4, 2019
Early stages of fire this morning on Bray Main Street as seen from the hydraulic platform above the building. @BrayTCouncil @wicklowcoco @gardai_ww pic.twitter.com/FCczLGqpyP
— Wicklow Fire Service (@FireWicklow) January 4, 2019
Bus services were subsequently diverted and there were traffic delays following the introduction of diversions.
Gardai lifted those at about 6pm and a temporary pedestrian walkway was also installed at the site.
Social media sites including Twitter showed pictures of flames coming from the building as and engine and fire crews attending the scene.
Wicklow County Council had asked people to avoid the area.
Go Ahead Ireland, which operates the local 184 and 185 bus routes, diverted services from Main Street.
The Garda press office said the cause of the fire was currently unknown.
The area of Main Street where the fire took place is adjacent to the site for the proposed Florentine shopping centre. The three-storey, red-brick building also house the pub and pharmacy at street level with overhead residential accommodation. Gardaí confirmed nobody was injured in the blaze.
