A large fire has broken out at a plant in Carlow.
It broke out at Oglesby and Butler earlier this afternoon.
Video by Spin's Aoife Kearns:
KCLR 96fm's Amy McLoughlin reports:
I'm currently on the scene at the O'Brien road where the Oglesby and Butler plant is.
This afternoon it was reported that a large fire broke out following an incident at the manufacturing plant.
Onlookers in local businesses and passers by reported a large explosion that took place in the early hours of the afternoon, followed by several firework-sort popping sounds.
A large black plume of smoke appeared from the manufacturing plant not long after.
It can be seen from all over the town, as far as Bagnalstown and as far as the hill.
Staff are now out on the footpaths outside the plant and do not know when they can return to get their belongings or their cars.
A few of them seem to be in a particular amount of distress.
Business on the road including the Maxol Garage and Jones' Business Systems have pretty much come to a standstill.
Traffic is closed from the Presentation College roundabout right up to Braun and Lapel.
The Oglesby and Butler plant was opened in Carlow in 1987, it employs over 80 people at the plant.
It is still unknown exactly what transpired inside the plant today.
It's also still unknown when the road will re-open to traffic or foot-traffic.
A lot of passers by are being stopped at the top of the O'Brien road and being told if they want to access the housing estates at the top of Braun and Lapel they'll have to go the long way around.
It's yet to be confirmed whether there have been any injuries in the incident.
According to the Carlow Fire Service water pressure may be an issue in Carlow Town for the rest of the day.
Local Diversions
Gardai are urging locals to keeps doors and windows closed and for motorists to avoid the area.
The O'Brien road is currently closed, with diversions in place.
