Man arrested in connection with fire at Dublin homeless hostel

Six people in stable condition in hospital following the fire on Little Britain Street

Gardaí at the scene of the fire. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Gardaí at the scene of the fire. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill

A man was arrested on Sunday in connection with a fire that broke out at a homeless hostel in Dublin.

An Garda Síochána said the arrested man, aged in his 30s, was being detained at the Bridewell Garda station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.

Six people were in hospital following the fire which occurred at the hostel in Little Britain Street in Dublin’s north inner city on Saturday evening. One woman was reported to be in a serious condition.

The injured were taken to the nearby Mater Hospital where they were treated for smoke inhalation and shock.

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The hostel is operated by the DePaul housing charity.

The Dublin Regional Homeless Executive said alternative accommodation has been put in place for those who needed it.

Meanwhile, Focus Ireland, provides services for people who are homeless, said the number of people without a home rose significantly in March and is set to exceed 10,000.

The latest figures also show 3,256 single adults in Dublin are in emergency accommodation, the highest number on record.

Tim O'Brien

Tim O'Brien

Tim O'Brien is an Irish Times journalist