The devastating scene of a housing estate fire in Westmeath''Heartbreaking scene to watch.''
A local resident who witnessed a fire that ripped through a housing estate in Mullingar has described it as a "heartbreaking scene."
The fire ravaged family homes in Lakepoint, in Mullingar, Co Westmeath on Tuesday evening.
Speaking to the Irish Mirror, the witness said: "We were first at the scene with one or two more people alongside us.
"It was panic at first because we could just see the fire ripping through the house and we weren't sure if there were people inside at that stage.
"But once we knew everyone was safely removed from the houses in that row, it just became a heartbreaking scene to watch as we waited for the fire brigade and gardai to arrive."
(Image: Noel Marshall / Twitter)At least one of the buildings in the estate was completely burned to the ground.
Emergency services attended the scene at around 9pm.
A source said the fire is believed to have ignited an oil tank.
Speaking to The Mirror a Garda spokesperson said: "Shortly after 8.30pm Gardaí and Fire Services were called to the scene of a house fire at The Avenue, Lakepoint in Mullingar.
"Two houses have been extensively damaged by the fire and two further houses have been damaged by smoke.
"There are no reports of any serious injuries. Fire Services have primacy at the scene currently.''
