Image: Damian Coleman

Emergency services were alerted to several small fires across a number of stores in Cork City Centre this evening. The incidents occurred in notable retail outlets, leading to an immediate response from Cork City Fire Brigade and a significant Gardaí presence in the area.

Witness accounts suggest an individual entered the premises, initiated fires within the stores, and subsequently fled. The link between these incidents is currently under investigation, and it remains uncertain if they were coordinated acts.

The Cork City Fire Brigade successfully contained and extinguished the fires, ensuring the safety of the public and the premises. Following these efforts, most of the affected stores have been able to resume operations and reopen to the public.

Gardaí are maintaining a substantial presence in the city centre to provide reassurance to the public and to facilitate the ongoing investigation into these incidents.

The community is encouraged to assist the investigation by providing any relevant information or witness accounts to Gardaí. The cooperation between emergency services and the public is vital in addressing and preventing such security concerns.