EXTENSIVE smoke damaged was caused to a NAMA held building at the site of the ill-fated Opera Centre on Tuesday evening after late night raiders set light to papers and tables at the offices of the former Mid West Business Institute at the Old Town Hall Centre. Two crews from the Limerick Fire and Rescue service attended the scene on Tuesday night where they were met with the blaze in the upstairs classroom of the historic site used by the former private college and other businesses in the recent past.
Having gained entry through the rear of the building that has been vacant for over three years since development on the multi million euro Opera Shopping Centre stalled in 2008, the raiders set light to old educational material and paper that remained in a classroom. The resulting fire set ablaze other materials in the room including tables and chairs.
The Fire Services quickly brought the blaze under control although the fire-fighters said that the smoke damage was extensive due to the nature of the fire.
Gardai at Henry Street are investigating the incident at the historical site.
The Commercial Buildings were built by the Commercial Building Company in 1805 and were occupied by the Chamber of Commerce until 1838 and later acquired by Limerick Corporation who used the building as the Town Hall from 1847 to 1990.
