The 22 workers at Brooks Home Builders store in Longford will continue to be paid despite the fire which destroyed the store's Athlone Road premises over the weekend.
Gardaí in Longford said this morning that they are examining CCTV footage from the store to see how the fire began in the early hours of yesterday.
They said there was clear evidence of a break-in at the building on Athlone Road, but it was not yet clear how the fire began. The damage caused was extensive and is now estimated at €2-5m.
This afternoon, management met the staff whom they say they are actively seeking to deploy at their other branches in the region.
The building was unoccupied at the time the fire began.
Wolseley Ireland, owner of the Brooks brand, is discussing with the building's employees how business will be handled in the run-up to Christmas.
The Brooks building in Longford is also home to sister outlets Tubs & Tiles, Heat Merchants and Brandon Hire.
Customers of the Brooks building businesses are being contacted today and alternative arrangements to fulfil their orders will be organised from other branches in the midlands. Brooks' customers will be serviced from Brooks in Sligo.
Customers can also telephone 071-9161111 for information about their orders.
