BYAMYROSE HARTE

IT is believed that the strong heat of the sun was the cause of a fire which broke out in the Donegal Creameries at the Cross in Killygordon on Monday.

A trailerload of plastic crates and milk cartons went up in flames after 1p.m. at the old Creamery offices behind the Lantern Inn bar, about 40 yards from St. Anne's church. Several failed attempts were made by workers to control the fire, which then spread to some palettes and a nearby hedge.

The fire brigade were alerted at 1.40pm and arrived on the scene ten minutes later. A spokesperson for the Creamery said he noticed the fire at around 1.10pm.

"There was a glass bottle sitting in front of the trailer of plastic and we think the heat of sun somehow set the whole thing alight. I think that's what happened anyway," he said.

He called the fire brigade when staff realised they weren't going to bring it under control.

"There was so much combustable stuff there and a telegraph pole went alight as well. There was a house and a garage nearby so there was too much there and too much height in it to try and handle it ourselves. When the fire brigade arrived they brought it under control within 10 seconds," he said.

He said some property was damaged in the blaze and would have to be replaced. A spokesman for Letterkenny Central Fire Station said that the cause of the fire was still unknown.