Fire services from Ballaghaderreen and Ballyhaunis were called to the scene of a blaze just metres from Castlerea Fire Station yesterday (Wednesday) morning. The fire station was closed permanently in July following a review of the fire service in the town.
An eyewitness told the Roscommon People that it took fire service vehicles over thirty minutes to attend the scene, which was cordoned off by Gardaí, near Church Road.
Sinn Féin TD Claire Kerrane said the fire was a prime example of the threat posed to the town without a fire service.
“A fire broke out at a derelict building in Castlerea this morning. Luckily, as this is a derelict house, nobody lives there and therefore there was no immediate threat to life.
“This is a prime example of the threat posed by the lack of a fire service in the county’s second largest town. I have raised the closure of the station with the Minister for Local Government, Darragh O’Brien, and I am seeking a meeting with him on this matter.
“I encourage the people of Castlerea to write to the Chief Executive of Roscommon County Council in opposition to the decision to close the fire station. Letters of opposition are available in my offices and are being circulated albeit it’s difficult, given Covid-19. This issue is not going to go away,” she said.
