Gardaí have launched an investigation into a major gorse fire in South East Clare.
Fire fighters battled the blaze at Woodcock Hill for over eight hours last night.
Emergency services were alerted shortly before five o’clock last evening, after passers by reported a fire at Woodcock Hill.
Two units of the Clare County Fire Service, based in Shannon Town, were initially mobilised to the scene, along with Gardaí.
They located a burning car, which is now believed to have been the initial cause of the blaze.
Additional units of the fire brigade from Limerick City were requested to mobilise to help tackle the fire and appliances from Ennis were also sent to the scene.
A helicopter was later deployed to drop water on the fire to prevent it spreading further.
Temperatures in the mid-twenties and rough terrain made for difficult conditions for fire crews who battled the blaze for over eight hours, bringing the fire under control just before 1am.
Gardaí in Shannon are investigating and are appealing to anyone with information to contact them on 061 361 212.
Meanwhile, Temperatures are expected to hit 27 degrees today.
A yellow high temperature warning is in place nationwide and this week’s heatwave could result in the hottest summer in Ireland since the seventies.
Health Minister Simon Harris has urged the public to check in on elderly or isolated neighbours, and make sure babies or children aren’t left alone in cars.
Pat Clarke from Met Eireann says a warning like this is rare for Ireland:
