Man dies following fire in Ballina

A man has died following a fire at a premises in Ballina's Tolan Street. 

Emergency services attended the scene after the alarm was raised at approximately 7.30am this morning. The fire is understood to have occurred at an apartment above BoyleSports on Tolan Street. 

A number of people are said to have been brought to hospital due to their injuries, the extent of which is not yet known. 

The street has been cordoned off and a number of emergency vehicles remain at the scene. 

This comes just one day after thousands of people gathered in the town to celebrate Ballina Heritage Day. 

Local representative, Cllr Mark Duffy, described the incident as ‘devastating news’. 

“It’s very sad to have such a tragic incident occur in the town less than 24 hours after such a joyous and celebratory day of Ballina’s heritage,” Cllr Duffy told The Mayo News. 

“There was tens of thousands of people on the street yesterday, hundreds of musicians and craftspeople. It showcased the best of Ballina and what the town has to offer. Today is a complete reversal of that with the tragic incident this morning. Our thoughts and prayers are with the deceased and the family and all of those affected by this tragic incident.”