Laois firefighters called to McDonald's Newbridge blaze

A Laois fire crew were among those called to help fight the blaze at McDonald's restaurant in Newbridge, Kildare.

Portlaoise fire station was one of only four stations opened on the day in Laois due to ongoing SIPTU strikes over pay and conditions.

However a crew rushed to the fire in Newbridge which gutted the building on Tuesday morning, August 15, leaving it closed until further notice.

Laois Fire and Rescue Service Chief Fire Officer is Declan Power.

"Kildare requested our assistance. We sent a water tanker and a main appliance. That left three stations open so we looked for Portlaoise to come back as quickly as possible," he told the Leinster Express.

McDonald's said that all workers and customers were safely evacuated from the major fire at its Newbridge restaurant. 

The fast food chain added that the premises "will remain closed until further notice".

The building is now cordoned off.

During the fire, Kildare County Council had urged residents to shut windows due to the smoke "across a wide area".

The road had remained closed for some hours after the fire as the fire services worked to ensure it was fully extinguished.