City centre fire causes traffic gridlock

There was traffic gridlock in the city this evening, while Galway Fire and Rescue Service dealt with a blaze on Mainguard Street.

Gardai blocked Bridge Street and Cross Street while the fire engines were parked outside the Dew Drop Inn, where the alarm was raised at around 5.45pm.

While the small fire in a storage area behind the pub was brought under control within 45 minutes, the Fire Service remained at the scene to ensure it did not reignite.

A fireman monitors the aftermath of the fire behind the Dew Drop Inn on Mainguard Street

The roads remained closed by Gardai for several hours, which caused lengthy delays and traffic jams from the city centre back to Salthill; at the Docks; Lough Atalia; Eyre Square; Salmon Weir Bridge and Nuns Island.

Three units of the Fire Service attended the incident, including a large crane.

The pub was closed at the time, but it is understood the owner was on the scene within minutes.

There were no injuries and the extent of the damage is not known.