Historic Building in Kilkenny Has Gone Up In Flames

Attempts to preserve life is the top priority as emergency services respond to the blaze that has broken out in a building in front of the River Court hotel on John Street.

According to the Kilkenny People, five units of Kilkenny's fire service and gardaí are attending the scene at the historic Dr.Mitchell's house (a listed building) in the centre of the town.

Smoke is billowing up through the roof which has caved in. Visibility is poor and onlookers are being kept at a distance.

No one knows if anyone was in the building when the fire broke out.

Very sad to see this building on fire in Kilkenny this morning @kclr96fm @KilkennyChamber @kilkennypeople1 pic.twitter.com/tcjITPynkH

— Jason Dempsey (@JasonDempsey8) October 10, 2018

@kclr96fm fire on John Street! pic.twitter.com/Y0YyPZi7QQ

— Smiddy (@smiddyboy) October 10, 2018

EMERGENCY services are dealing with a fire in Kilkenny city this morning.

A building on John Street in Kilkenny city centre is on fire and John Street is closed.

Four fire brigade units are on the scene.

There are no reports so far of any injuries.

— Damien Tiernan (@damienrte) October 10, 2018

People are being told to avoid John Street, John's Quay, Bateman Quay and Rose Inn Street for the rest of the day.

The River Court hotel is currently being evacuated.

READ NEXT: Yellow Weather Warning Issued As Fears Grow Over Storm Callum