Northside residents say they’re ‘in shock’ after a well-known family bakery suffered extensive damages in a suspected arson attack this morning.
Emergency services responded after a member of staff at Healy’s Bakery in Blackpool reported a fire at the premises at approximately 6am today (Wednesday 15th January). Traffic restrictions were put in place by Gardaí as members of the Cork City Fire Brigade tackled the blaze – the area remains cordoned off as a technical examination continues.
It’s understood the building suffered extensive damages in the fire and a number of people had to be evacuated from nearby residences as a precaution.
No injuries were reported, but a Garda spokesperson has said the blaze was ‘an incident of criminal damage by fire’ and investigations are ongoing.
The family is now on its sixth generation of bakers and the business was first set up in 1862 – widely described as ‘Cork’s oldest bakery’. Current owner Rachel Healy has been working there for 35 years.
Speaking on the incident this morning, she said: “Unfortunately we won’t be up and running for a number of weeks or months anyways until we have everything sorted. I apologise to everyone who had [ordered] birthday cakes and wedding cakes and celebration cakes for the weekend. I’m so sorry.
“…I can’t get in there yet, but everything will have to be thrown out really. There’s nothing salvageable in food production after fire damage. We’re just in limbo at the moment.
Gardaí at the scene of the fire at Healy’s Bakery this morning
(Image: CorkBeo)
“…The shock has hit me and I’m exhausted now. I’m just distraught that’s all. When you’re working for 35 years making cakes and then next thing the whole lot is gone. People have been so nice and so kind and so understanding. The place is flooded now, Irish Water are here now to cull the pipes and stuff, they’re turning them off,” she told Cork’s 96FM Opinion Line with PJ Coogan.
Speaking to CorkBeo, locals have said they’re ‘absolutely devastated’ for the Healy family, saying the blaze has impacted almost everyone in the area.
Tom Dennehy, the owner of neighbouring business Dennehy’s Seafood, said: “It’s devastating for the whole area, that they’re there for so long. We all work in tandem here – people might buy a cake from Healy’s, then walk across the road and get a fish from me.
“Rachel has put so much work and effort into the place, it’s shocking. Unbelievable really.”
The area remains cordoned off this afternoon
(Image: CorkBeo)
Local Green Party representative and chair of the Blackpool Community Centre Louise Jordan said her and her team are very close with Rachel, and she rushed to meet her as soon as she heard about the incident.
She said: “It’s just thinking about poor Rachel and what she has to go through now, but we’re just glad that nobody was hurt. It’s very difficult for her, but I’m certain that she’ll rebuild and be better than ever. The Healy’s have been there forever.”
Investigations into the incident are ongoing.
A Garda spokesperson told CorkBeo: “Gardaí were alerted to an incident of criminal damage by fire that occurred this morning in the Blackpool area, Cork city, Wednesday 15th January 20255.
“The incident occurred at approximately 6 am at a commercial premises. No injuries have been reported at this time.
“The investigation is ongoing.”