Concerns for future of 60 jobs as blaze rips through landmark hotel

Date Published: 07-Sep-2011

BY CIARAN TIERNEY

Huge plumes of black smoke drifted across Portumna throughout yesterday afternoon as five units of the Galway fire service battled to curtail a blaze which broke out at the Shannon Oaks Hotel at lunchtime.

Firemen were continuing to fight the fire late into the evening amid concerns over the jobs of the 60 people who work at the hotel at St Joseph’s Road, which is one of the most popular in Co Galway.

A spokesman for the Galway Fire Service said it was too early to speculate about the full extent of the damage last night, although it is known that the kitchen, foyer, bar area, function room and restaurant were gutted in the fire.

It is understood the fire broke out in the kitchen area and the alarm was raised at 1.15pm, after the 80 guests and staff members present were evacuated from the building. The bedrooms and leisure centre were not affected by the blaze.

No injuries were reported, but the fire was still raging – with large plumes of smoke drifting through the town and towards the River Shannon – at tea-time.

“It seems to be even more severe now than it was at lunchtime,” said one eyewitness at 6pm. “The main building has been badly damaged. It would be a huge blow to Portumna if the hotel was destroyed.

“It would be impossible to tell the full extent of the damage until the fire is brought fully under control and there is some concern about the jobs of the people who work here.”

The hotel is the most popular in South East Galway and is regularly used for concerts and wedding functions.

It was bought by Cosmo Flood some years ago and has been run by the Maldron Hotel group, who revamped the function room, for the past year.

Read more in today’s Connacht Tribune