Gardaí investigate car fire in centre of Dublin
An investigation is underway after a car was set on fire in Dublin city centre overnight.
Gardaí were alerted by the Fire Brigade at 10.55pm last night after the blaze was spotted on Long Lane in Dublin 8, while witnesses also reported hearing a loud bang. The Army also attended the scene.
It is believed one person may have been injured in the incident.
A number of houses along Long Lane were damaged.
The scene, near the Meath Community Service Hospital, minutes away from St Stephen's Green, has been preserved for a technical examination and an appeal has been issued for any witnesses to come forward.
Users on social media described feeling and hearing an explosion last night.
Photographer Alan Bennett said he was around the corner when he "heard and felt an explosion."
"I reached Long Lane about 15 seconds later to see a car on fire," he said.
"[There were] a couple of smaller explosions over the next few minutes as more of the car burned."
He said there were three fire engines, two ambulances and a number of garda vehicles attending the scene, the first of which arrived within minutes.
"I am in no doubt there was an explosion," he said.
Eavan Murray, a reporter at the Irish Sun, tweeted "There was an explosion just yards from our office tonight. Blast shook our windows."
Her colleague Enda Bolger tweeted: "Heard and felt the reverberations in the office."
