Safety works at fire-damaged Athlone houses planned

By Rebekah O'Reilly

Westmeath County Council is progressing plans for significant remedial and clean-up works at three fire-damaged houses on St Mary’s Terrace, five years after a serious blaze badly damaged the properties.

The local authority has issued an invitation to tender for external improvement works at houses numbers 9, 10 and 11, with the aim of making the buildings safe and improving their appearance within the surrounding residential streetscape.

The properties were severely affected by a fire in April 2021, which caused extensive roof damage and left the houses in a dangerous and deteriorating condition.

Under the proposed works, the fire-damaged roofs of houses 9 and 10 will be removed, including asbestos slates and damaged roof timbers.

Sections of the roof at house number 11 will also be reinstated to make the building weatherproof and help prevent further deterioration in the medium term.

The council said all windows and doors at the three properties will be securely blocked up, while rubbish and debris will be cleared from the front, rear and side lower-ground areas surrounding the houses.

Since the houses are located within a residential area, the council said safe access to neighbouring properties must be maintained throughout the duration of the project.

The tender also includes improvement works at the old council depot yard in Loughanaskin.

These works involve the installation of a new palisade gate and fencing section designed to match the existing boundary treatment, while the front yard area will undergo a general clean-up to remove debris and overgrown vegetation ahead of future works.