Council still providing accommodation for fire victims

Major fire and smoke damage was caused to all levels of the building.

DONEGAL County Council said it is continuing to provide accommodation to some of those left homeless following last week’s fire at an apartment complex in Letterkenny.

Eighteen people had to be evacuated from the apartment block on Rosemount Lane after a number of cars caught fire at an underground car park in the early hours of Thursday morning, September 29.

At least two people were treated in Letterkenny University Hospital (LUH) for smoke inhalation, eight cars were destroyed and two adjoining businesses – O’Hehirs Bakery and Watson Menswear – have been forced to shut due to smoke damage.

Two men have been charged with causing criminal damage and burglary at the building on the same morning.

All the residents, mostly Polish, were housed in the nearby Dillon’s Hotel over the weekend.

Some of them said they had nowhere to go after checking out of the hotel at noon yesterday (Monday).

However, a council spokesperson said residents who had contacted them are still being accommodated at the hotel and that the matter is under ongoing review.

“The residents were accommodated in Dillon’s Hotel on the night of the fire and those who presented to the council are being accommodated there until the 5th of October (Wednesday) and the situation is under ongoing review,” the spokesperson said.

“The residents have all been advised to try and secure alternative private rented accommodation until the apartments are available for occupation again. The residents have been advised to keep in touch with the council regarding their individual situations. The council have been in constant contact with the hotel since the fire and acknowledges the difficult situation these people are in and will continue to assist in any way possible.”

The spokesperson added it has been in regular contact with the manager of the complex and met him on Monday regarding when the accommodation is expected to be available again and whether the complex insurance will assist those effected with accommodation costs.

“It is unclear at this time as to when the apartments will be available again.”

Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Consular section of the Polish Embassy in Dublin said it was made aware of the situation by one of the residents on Monday afternoon. He added it was providing assistance to the nine Polish families affected and was liaising with the council.

Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere