Battle underway to tackle blaze in Laois town

Residents of a Laois housing estate have been forced to leave their homes while the Fire Service battle a fire in a nearby field.

A fire broke out in Smiths Field next to the Kirwan Park housing estate in Mountmellick on Thursday evening. Two fire crews are currently trying to get the blaze under control which has spread to hedgerow. There is also a large garda presence at the scene.