Probe as ‘blazing car’ hits tan salon
PEOPLE IN FLATS ABOVE FORCED TO FLEE
GARDAI have launched a criminal damage probe after a tanning shop went up in flames when a car crashed into it and a fire broke out in an act of “mindless violence”.
Residents living in apartments above the Sun Tan Studio on Tullow Street in Carlow were also forced to flee in the early hours of yesterday morning after the inferno engulfed the salon.
Social media videos show a car on fire which appeared to have reversed through the front doors.
It remains unclear if the car caught fire as a result of the crash or if it was deliberately set ablaze.
Firefighters raced to the scene shortly after 2:30am and helped evacuate residents in the apartments before bringing the blaze under control.
The Irish Daily Star understands the living quarters upstairs were not damaged by the fire itself but many flats have extensive smoke damage.
The blaze has striking similarities to an incident in May 2022 — when a tanning shop on the same street just metres away also went up in flames.
In that incident, a car reversed through the front of the Bikini Beach salon, which was also on Tullow
Street, at high speed before it went on fire.
Speaking about yesterday’s blaze, Councillor Fintan Phelan told The Star: “It was a shocking attack. Carlow Town is a fantastic town.
Attack
“We had the International Pan-Celtic Festival in Carlow last week where we were showcasing the best of Carlow and then this mindless act of violence takes place in the centre of town — it is despicable.
“I want to urge everybody to cooperate and if anybody has any information to pass it on to An Garda Siochana.”
Cllr Phelan added: “I hope whoever did it is brought to the full rigours of the law.
“I want to thank the gardai and the fire service for their quick response and ensuring the residents living above were evacuated safely.”
In a statement, gardai said they are “investigating an incident of criminal damage and fire at a premises on Tullow Street, Co Carlow during the early hours of Monday, 8th April 2024.
“The incident occurred at around 2.30 am when a car impacted with the front of the building.
“Fire services attended the scene to control a fire which had broken out.”