Gardaí are waiting on the results of a forensic report that will determine whether a fire in a vacant holiday home last Sunday night was malicious or started by some other cause.

A holiday home of wooden construction went on fire and sent flames high into the night sky at the Sandy Lane, Riverchapel.

The alarm was raised just before 9 o’clock and units of the fire service were quickly dispatched from Gorey.

Another wooden house and a new house were in grave danger from the inferno, but the direction of the wind and the prompt action of the fire-fighters contained the fire to one house which was completely destroyed.

A local source was full of praise for the fire-fighters. “They did a great job in protecting the property around the burning house.

“They were helped by the direction of the wind – it was blowing out towards the sea – otherwise several houses could have been burned.”

A Garda source confirmed that ‘Scenes of Crime’ officers examined the scene of the fire on Monday morning and they are awaiting the forensic report as part of their investigation into the incident.

There is concern locally about the number of fires occurring in the district.

Just a few weeks ago about 150 lobster pots were destroyed in a blaze that threatened the Courtown Coastguard Station.

Last October a holiday home belonging to Mary Hartless, (72), who was living in Liverpool at the time, was completely destroyed on the Sandy Lane. It had been in her family for three generations.

Gardaí are seeking the support of the public in relation to Sunday night’s fire and are calling for local people to be vigilant and to report any suspicious activity on the Garda confidential line – 1800 666 111.

Full story in this week’d edition of THE GOREY ECHO.