Fire-damaged hotel may reopen within weeks

THE BRACKEN Court Hotel in Balbriggan, north Co Dublin, is expected to reopen in a number of weeks, after a fire seriously damaged the southern wing of the building on Saturday night.

At one stage the fire, which broke out on the fourth floor of the building and spread quickly to the roof, was visible from as far away as the Naul, say witnesses.

The hotel was hosting a number of functions when the blaze broke out. The building was evacuated quickly and six fire tenders brought the blaze under control.

Guests were transferred to the City North Hotel off the M1 motorway, and Fingal Co Council, which occupies the neighbouring Town Hall building, made its offices and phone lines available to hotel staff yesterday as advance bookings were cancelled.

Peter Caulfield of Fingal Co Council said the council's dangerous buildings inspector had visited the hotel and was satisfied it was not in an unstable condition.

"Most of the southern wing was extensively damaged by smoke and water, but bedrooms in the northern section of the building were undamaged," said Mr Caulfield.

"I fully expect it to reopen," he said.

Balbriggan Town Hall suffered mild smoke damage and part of the car park it shares with the hotel was flooded.

The boutique-style hotel, part of which dates from the 18th century, has been extensively modernised in recent years.

It is the only hotel in Balbriggan town centre and was reportedly full at the time of the fire.