A major fire that broke out at the old Jute Factory in the Tycor area of Waterford city has left a local industrial hub facing significant damage, with the full economic impact on surrounding businesses now beginning to emerge. While emergency services have brought the blaze under control, the scale of the destruction has raised serious concerns among business owners operating within the Tycor Business Centre.
The incident, which occurred on Sunday, May 10, 2026, required a massive coordinated response from the Waterford fire service. Units from Tramore, Dunmore East, Portlaw, and Dungarvan were deployed to the scene to combat the blaze, which produced flames believed to have reached heights of up to 12 metres at the old Jute Factory.
Waterford City and County Council confirmed that the “major fire” has been brought under control, though operations continued at the site into Monday morning. Officials have issued a public advisory for residents and commuters to avoid the immediate area and to keep windows shut as a precaution while fire service operations conclude.
Industrial Impact and Business Disruptions
The fire caused extensive damage to the old Jute Factory building and sparked fears regarding the stability and safety of adjacent industrial units. Business owners within the business centre have expressed serious concerns over the ripple effects of the blaze, particularly regarding structural damage and accessibility to their facilities.
Among those affected is DG Foods, a business operating within the Tycor Business Centre. In a social media post, the Hepburn family, who own the business, thanked the Waterford gardaí and fire services for their efforts to save their store and storage unit. While describing the event as a “major set back,” the family confirmed that their operations at the six cross roads business park remained unaffected and that DG Retail, DG Foods Wholesale, and Press Coffee would continue to operate.
“This will be a blip in our business and a major set back, but thank God there has been no injuries. We will pick ourselves up in the morning and keep our business running as per usual in the six cross roads business park as this has not been affected,” the Hepburn family stated in their public update.
Timeline and Emergency Response
The blaze became highly visible during the closing stages of the Munster Senior Hurling Championship match between Waterford and Cork, which was taking place at the nearby Walsh Park. The proximity of the sporting event to the fire scene meant that significant flames were visible to many in the vicinity during the match on Sunday evening.
Emergency responders focused on containment to prevent the fire from spreading further through the industrial estate. According to reports, no casualties have been recorded in connection with the incident, although the physical damage to the primary structure is described as extensive.
Key Details of the Incident
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Old Jute Factory, Tycor area, Waterford city |
| Date | Sunday, May 10, 2026 |
| Maximum Flame Height | Estimated 12 metres |
| Responding Units | Tramore, Dunmore East, Portlaw, and Dungarvan fire services |
| Casualties | None reported |
What Happens Next
As the site is declared safe, the focus will shift toward damage assessment and the investigation into the cause of the fire. Business owners in the Tycor Business Centre will likely begin the process of filing insurance claims and assessing whether their units are structurally sound for re-entry.
Waterford City and County Council continues to monitor the site. Further updates regarding road reopenings and safety clearances for the industrial estate are expected as fire service operations wind down.
World Today Journal will continue to monitor this story as more information regarding the cause of the fire and the total number of affected firms becomes available. We invite readers to share their thoughts or any further information in the comments section below.