SMOKE SHOCK Cork firemen alerted by Gardai discover recreated nightclub with large group of partygoers and smoke machine instead
FIREMEN who forced their way into a rented property after reports of a suspected blaze in the early hours found a large group of partygoers using a smoke machine to create nightclub atmosphere inside.
Gardai patrolling in the area spotted fumes coming from a house on Connacht Avenue near University College Cork shortly after midnight and alerted the city fire service
Windows at the dwelling had been blocked out with plastic bags and a large tarpaulin was covering the back of the property.
When firefighters wearing breathing apparatus broke through the front door, they found the smoke machine being used along with a large group of people.
DISGUST
It is understood that the property is being rented out to adults and did not contain students.
Residents near UCC, who have endured a summer of Covid house parties, expressed disgust over the incident.
Catherine Clancy, of the Magazine Road Residents Association (MRRA) said urgent legislation is needed to make landlords accountable.
HUNDREDS OF HOUSE PARTIES
She said: “The fire brigade had to break down the door. There were black plastic bags on the windows all summer.
“These houses aren’t being managed at all. These people are gone today and we are hoping that the students who come in are quiet.
“During the summer months, we kept records of the parties in the area.
“From the end of May to the start of June, there were 215 incidences of house parties recorded by the association. There were 17 reports of parties in one house.
“This is an epidemic. We need legislation to deal with this behaviour.”
Ms Clancy said the landlord should now be sent the charges for the calling out of three units of the city fire brigade to the house.
