UPDATED: Fire services continue to battle haybarn fire

Athlone and Ferbane Fire Services are continuing to battle a haybarn fire close to the town this evening.

The alarm was raised just before 4am, according to Pat Hunt from Athlone Fire Services, who said the barn is located on farmland at The Derries, just off the Dublin Road close to Bonavalley in the Kilmacuagh townland.

Approximately 600 bales of hay are said to have been housed in the barn at the time the fire broke out.

One unit of Athlone and Ferbane Fire Brigades rushed to the scene and have been there ever since attempting to extinguish the flames.

While Pat Hunt said the wind is making the task more difficult, he admitted it could be some time before the fire is dealt with because hay is impervious to water and must be removed, put over the land and the flames beaten out.

"It's not an easy fight," he commented when asked if any of the fodder can be saved, saying that what can be seen now is hay smouldering and some smoke as a result.

Plumes of smoke had been visible from early today, particularly, between Junction 9 (Garrycastle) and 10 (Ballymahon) and several people have contacted the fire services to alert them.

No other buildings have been affected by the fire, and there were no injuries, he confirmed.

Gardaí are also at the scene.