Gardaíare currently investigating an arson attack which occurred at the Shanowen Square Spar on Saturday morning.
The attack took place at around 8am when two young men entered the shop and poured petrol near the entrance, before setting the fuel alight while staff and customers were inside.
The arsonists then fled the store through the front entrance while staff and customers escaped using the fire escape at the rear of the building.
When contacted, the Garda Press Office said: “Gardaí are investigating an incident of criminal damage by fire to a shop on Shanowen Rd, Santry on the 28th July 2018 at approximately 8am. No injuries were reported and investigations are ongoing.”
Three fire engines and an ambulance reported to the scene of the fire. There were no injuries, and all involved escaped unharmed.
Dublin Fire Brigade commended staff and stressed the importance of the store’s fire exit on their official twitter saying: “Staff did the right thing & were able to escape through the clear fire exit, we can’t stress the importance of keeping these obstacle free.”
3 fire engines & an ambulance were called to a shop fire in #Santry this morning. Staff did the right thing & were able to escape through the clear fire exit, we can't stress the importance of keeping these obstacle free. Finglas & P'boro stns attended #Dublin #fire pic.twitter.com/lzildZvQ7v
— Dublin Fire Brigade (@DubFireBrigade) July 28, 2018
Spar’s, parent company, BWG Foods, released this statement following the fire: “Our first priority is the safety of our employees and customers and thankfully no one was hurt in the fire. We now need to focus on carrying out repairs and works in order to get the store re-open as quickly as possible.”
Callum Lavery
Image Credit: Dublin Fire Brigade