A fire broke out in Coolock, Dublin yesterday eveening at a site earmarked for asylum seekers on the Malahide Road.

Dublin Fire Brigade said two fire engines were on scene at the former Crown Paints building and Gardaí were also called out. 

The fire comes after violence broke out at the site on Monday night, where rocks and missiles were hurled during a protest.

19 people were arrested and brought before the courts.

Two fire engines are on scene at a fire in the former Crown paints building in #Coolock.

The fire in a lobby area has been contained and we expect firefighting operations to be wound down soon. pic.twitter.com/d8GfRBpxoe

— Dublin Fire Brigade (@DubFireBrigade) July 18, 2024

Gardaí are now investigating the suspected attack at the Crown Paints site in Coolock, that is due to house 500 asylum seekers.

"Obviously, this is a quite a concern," Irish Times Security Editor Conor Lally told Newstalk. 

"There's been a really Garda operation at that side since the start of the week and the fact that this fire could take place, if indeed it is an arson attack, is obviously a concern [as it took place] under the noses of the Garda operation."

It is understood there were no Gardaí present near the building when it caught fire.

"Gardaí appear to believe that the site was secure because it had a three metre high concrete wall that was placed at the entrance," he said.

"But there doesn't seem to have been Gardaí inside the site when the fire broke out; we're not absolutely sure of that but we don't think there was."

The fire has now been brought under control.

Main image: Fire in Coolock. Image by: Dublin Fire Brigade.