Derelict house extensively damaged in fire

A derelict house in St Mel's Terrace has been extensively in damaged in a fire.The alarm was raised at 11.30pm on Wednesday night after a blaze started in the upstairs of the dwelling, one of only two houses left in the estate since the demolition of the remainder some years ago as part of the St Mel's Regeneration scheme. Athlone Fire Brigade attended the scene and brought the flames under control a short time later, however, the roof of the house collapsed and was completely destroyed in the fire. It's believed there may have been a number of people on the premise at the time the fire broke out, but no one is thought to have been injured. Gardai in Athlone were unavailable to comment on the fire investigation this evening.