A fire broke out in the Cahir Co-op Mart in Co Tipperary last night, causing extensive damage to the canteen and offices. A post on the Cahir News Facebook page last night alerted people in the local area to the incident.

A spokesperson from the Co-op said the fire started between 8.30pm and 9 pm last night when a passerby noticed the smoke and alerted the fire brigade and An Garda Siochána.

The fire department was at the site until 1 am this morning putting out the flames. There were no people or animals in the building at the time so there were no injuries. Although it looks like it might have started in the office, the cause of the fire is yet unknown and an investigation by An Garda Siochána is currently underway.

The fire caused extensive damage to the canteen, kitchen, main office and part of the cattle ring. As a result, cattle sales at the mart have been cancelled for this week, although the sheep sale scheduled for tomorrow will take place in Fermoy mart instead.

The Co-op is hoping to erect temporary portacabins in which the cattle sales can take place while the building is repaired over the next few months.