An explosion on a farm in Cork has seen three firemen injured this morning.
According to a Garda spokesperson, members of An Garda Siochana and Fire Brigade personnel attended a fire on a farm in Rea near Macroom in Co. Cork in the early hours of Sunday morning.
It is understood that the fire broke out in a shed or barn on the farm and during the course of the fire fight, an explosion occurred.
Three firemen suffered injuries as a result of the explosion and were immediately taken to Cork University Hospital for treatment.
The explosion is believed to have been caused when the fire reached a fuel tank located in the shed, although this has not yet been confirmed. Gardai believe the initial fire was accidental.
Gardai also confirmed that the livestock on the farm were removed in time and no animals were injured during the course of the fire.
The scene at Macroom has been preserved and a full investigation is set to be carried out.
This incident follows last week’s tragic accidents that saw two farmers killed on Irish farms.
A farmer in his 70s died on Thursaday following a farm accident in Co. Meath.
It is understood that the accident involved a quad bike and happened when the man was out on farmland in Ballinkerry, near Enfield. The man was pronounced dead at the scene and his body was removed to Navan hospital.
This was preceded by the death of a 65-year-old farmer after he was crushed by a tractor when it rolled over him on Monday May 2, in Co. Kerry.
This accident happened in Ballylongford in north Co. Kerry around 9.50am, a Garda spokesperson confirmed to Agriland.
There have been five farming-related fatalities in Ireland this year.