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Units of the Cork County Fire Service are still fighting a fire at the former convent in Skibbereen.
The alarm was raised around 4 pm this afternoon after flames were seen coming from the church on the grounds of the former convent of the Sisters of Mercy on Cork Road.
The fire destroyed the roof of the old church and damaged the adjacent old convent. Traffic diversions are in place as fire crews battle the ongoing blaze with heavy rain.
About eight retirees were evacuated from sheltered homes near the scene of the fire.
Cork County Fire Service units from Skibbereen, Schull and Bantry attended the fire.
It is not yet known what caused the fire.
Local Councilor Karen Coakley (FG) said:
“This is absolutely devastating news.
“There were eight people in residential care at the front of the convent and, fortunately, they were all safely evacuated.
“I think two are in the hospital at the moment as a precaution and the other six are at the West Cork Hotel,” he added.
“The whole city is devastated.
“It is a beautiful building and such an important part of the history of the city.
“A lot of people would have gone to school there and any communion or confirmation photos were taken in the garden there.” Cllr Coakley commended staff at the Courthouse and nearby Spearline for assisting in evacuation efforts, as well as local emergency services.
A Garda spokesperson told The Echo that fire services were controlling the fire last night.
“Several people have been evacuated from the place who live in the houses adjacent to the premises.
“No person was injured and the residents of the houses have been housed overnight.”
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