Kildare firefighters tackle blaze near Curragh Racecourse
An area of some 200 square metres on the Curragh Plains went on fire prompting a rapid response
Kildare Fire Service personnel rushed to the scene of a blaze near the Curragh Racecourse today.
The fire took hold in an area of gorse just metres from a public road on the outskirts of Kildare town.
The blaze ignited on the edge of the Curragh adjacent to the route which links Milltown with Kildare town, near Rathbride Cross.
An area of some 200 square metres went on fire at around 4pm, prompting an emergency response from firefighters.
At least half a dozen personnel attended and brought it under control but it will be some time before the smouldering vegetation is fully extinguished.
Flames and smoke could be clearly seen by motorists driving on nearby roads some distance from the scene and the incident was visible from both the M7 and the R445 between Newbridge and Kildare town.
The area is also close to a number of racehorse training establishments.
There was dense smoke in the immediate area but the wind direction took it away from the nearby road and across the plains.
A number of emergency service vehicles were deployed including two fire engines and two water tankers.
It is understood that no injuries were reported.
The fire service was not immediately aware of the cause though it’s likely that a discarded match or cigarettes may have ignited it.