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A rural resident in Hollywood, Co Wicklow said that the sight of an uncontrolled gorse fire approaching his house last week was “very scary”.
Three fire units were called out to a cluster of houses around a mile from the village of Hollywood.
The resident said that wind propelled the gorse fire forward and that they were lucky that it finally changed direction.
“It was within the width of a road from our house. The fire break is a country lane,” he told the Irish Farmers Journal.
“We had a bit of smoke damage. We were advised to get away because the smoke would damage your lungs.
“It was an intimidating sight, frightening with that coming down the hill towards you.
“The fire engine got there with not a lot of time to spare. It could have jumped the fire break.”
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