TWO schools in Co Galway will remain closed today after over 1,300 pupils were evacuated from the premises following a “major fire incident” at a nearby factory.
It comes as some schools across Ireland remain closed for a sixth day in a row today after record-breaking Storm Eowyn.
Gardai, members of the fire services and the Defence Forces attended the scene[/caption]
The wicked weather destroyed power lines, left properties without water and pulled down trees that left some educational facilities with structural damage.
A briefing provided to ministers said schools that were closed due to power outages will be back up and running in time to reopen on Monday.
In Galway, Colaiste Bhaile Chláir and Educate Together Primary School remain closed as a battery fire incident in Claregalway Corporate Park enters its third day.
The fire broke out at the facility at around 7:15am on Wednesday, with no injuries reported at the time.
Today, a container is being monitored for lithium contamination, after the blaze at the Xerotech battery company on Wednesday morning.
The fire has been contained but concerns remain over keeping the batteries cooled to prevent them from reigniting.
Galway County Council declared the scene as a “major fire incident” yesterday and said the evacuation of the two nearby schools and some nearby premises was taken as a “precautionary measure”.
Gardai yesterday assisted in the evacuation of the schools and neighbouring businesses, with parents urged to pick their children up from the evacuation points.
Pupils from Colaiste Bhaile Chlair were transported by bus to Claregalway GAA Club at Knockdoemore and pupils from Claregalway Educate Together were evacuated to the church in Claregalway.
It is understood that some 1,300 students were evacuated from their classrooms at Colaiste Bhaile Chlair.
And it has been reported that both schools remain closed this morning following the incident.
It’s understood that units of the Defence Forces ordinance core have been at the scene alongside a number of units of the fire service, Gardai and members of the Civil Defence.
Galway County Council said: “Parents and guardians are advised not to go to the schools, as access is restricted.
“Galway County Council urges the public to follow official guidance and avoid the area to allow emergency services to carry out their work.”
Xerotech is a battery technology company that makes batteries for industrial electrical vehicles.
It is understood that air quality testing will take place to determine if businesses can return to the corporate park later today.
ANOTHER SCHOOL EVACUATED
It comes after another school was evacuated in a separate incident that took place in Co Cork on Wednesday morning.
An electric cable is suspected to have caught on fire at Glasheen Boy’s National School, located on School Avenue, shortly after 8:30am.
No injuries were reported.
It is understood that staff at the primary school extinguished the minor blaze with a fire extinguisher.
Cork City Fire Brigade were alerted to the blaze and attended the scene within six minutes.
The school, which shares a campus with Glasheen Girls’ School, is located in Cork city centre.
Cork City Council confirmed in a statement that three pumps, a hydraulic platform and a senior officer from the Cork City Fire Brigade mobilised and were on the scene for one hour.
