Pat’s Centra store in Bettystown is ablaze tonight after fire broke out in the village centre shop at about 10.00 pm. on Sunday may 1st.
Crowds of onlookers gathered as the fire quickly engulfed the building sending a pall of smoke into the night air.
Five Fire service vehicles were quickly on the scene but the fire had spread to the first floor of the building and soon the roof had collapsed with flames leaping into the darkness.
Fire personnel were hosing down the adjacent Macaris chip shop next door to prevent the fire from spreading further.
Pat’s shop is at the very heart of the community in Belltystown being adjacent to the entrance to the beach and also houses the village Post Office.
No further details were available tonight and there was no report of any casualties but one bystander told Drogheda Life that there had been someone living in an apartment above the shop. This could not however be verified.
A garda spokesperson said: “A technical examination will take place when the blaze is extinguished to determine the course of any investigation.”
