A major incident averted following an explosion at the Esso petrol depot in Cork.
The blast at the Cork city Esso petrol depot at Centre Park Road causes severe damage,
Blowing out the12 inch-thick walls of the pump house as well as the roof, twisting metal poles and taking away part of an adjoining wall.
Nobody is hurt in the explosion but in the aftermath, fires spread towards the transformer station about 60 metres away.
Several units of Cork Fire Brigade and Esso personnel work bravely to avert a major incident. They quickly moved a dozen petrol lorries as well as tanks and stocks of white spirit away from the danger area.
The cause of the fire isn't clear.
The depot is regarded as particularly well maintained. One theory is it may have been struck by lightning flashing over the area at the time.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 18 October 1984. The reporter is Tom MacSweeney.
