This article is from page 4 of the 2008-04-08 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 4 JPG
THE Health and Safety Authority is investigating an explosion and fire at Dromoland Castle, which has left one workman seriously injured and
another with minor injuries.
The two were working with a gas burner last Friday, sealing a window in the hotel, when there was an ex- plosion.
It is understood that a small gas
cylinder exploded, which promptly led to the fire breaking out.
One of the men – a 60-year-old from Lisdoonvarna – was engulfed in the flames and suffered 40 degree burns to several parts of his body.
He had to be airlifted to University College Hospital, Galway, where his condition was described as critical. He remains in hospital, where he is still being treated for his serious in- juries.
His colleague, a Kerry native, was also taken to hospital, with minor in- juries.
Both were employees of Michael McNamara builders in Dublin and were working together on the win- elev
The fire service used an aerial plat- form to lift the man from the roof, after he had been treated there.
The incident occurred before noon, as dozens of people were getting ready to attend a wedding. The ho- tel was evacuated. None of the group suffered any injuries and were al- lowed back into the hotel some time Eire
Very little damage was done to the hotel, as the fire did not spread from where it started.
Gardai, along with five fire units and a number of ambulances, attend- ed the scene. Gardai took statements from various witnesses and members of the Scenes of Crime Unit, based in Ennis, also attended the scene of the fire.
Representatives from the Health and Safety Authority also attended the scene and carried out detailed ex- aminations, in an effort to ascertain the cause of the blaze.