LIVE: Clean-up operation continues at site of Waterford fire amid major update

The clean-up from the fire at the Tycor Business Centre in Waterford city has moved to the next stage.

In its latest update, Waterford City and County Council said that the external clean-up of the area surrounding the building has now been completed.

The focus has now moved to the controlled management and remediation of the remaining material within the fire-damaged site itself.

Debris netting has been erected around the site, and some stabilisation works have already taken place.

Asbestos-containing debris remains within the site boundary, and the building's owners are now progressing with the appointment of specialist contractors to carry out the next phase of remediation.

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Before this phase can commence, the proposed works will require the appropriate submission to, and authorisation from, the Health and Safety Authority (HSA).

Based on the current controls, the containment of the remaining material within the site boundary, and the continuation of monitoring, these works are not expected to present a risk to individuals living near the site.

However, Waterford City and County Council has said it will continue to monitor air quality in the area.

The external clean-up works were methodically carried out by trained asbestos personnel using controlled methods.

All asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) identified in the area were removed from affected roads, footpaths, driveways, gardens, lower-level external surfaces, vehicles and other areas where debris was present.

In addition, air monitoring was undertaken daily, and all results were reported as below the limit of detection, with no elevated airborne fibre concentrations identified at the time of sampling.

Advice received from HSE Dublin and South East Public Health team has confirmed that repeated air testing since the fire has not shown any elevated levels of asbestos in the air.

As a result, there is no need for any specific public health action to be taken by the public in respect of the incident at this time.

Waterford City and County Council has said it will continue to seek advice from the HSE Public Health team during the remaining works, as appropriate.