Fireman put their lives at risk to contain the inferno that engulfed the old Monster House building on the corner of High Street and William Street that also houses the Supermac's fast food outlet.

The landmark building directly opposite City Hall was subdivided a number of years ago leading to fears that the fire might travel the entire length of William Street.

For a while it looked as if all William Street would be lost but fireman on ladders, fighting through the smoke and heat, wearing breathing apparatus, broke the third storey windows of the building and hosed down the roof to stop it spreading up to Cafe Sol restaurant; John McCarron's dental practice, dental practice and the home of Des and Erma Cody.

Their colleagues were busy hosing down the building from Guard Lane while a third fire tender was also used.

The alarm was raised after 9pm by staff in Supermacs after the fire started at the side of the building on guard Lane, the narrow laneway where there are a large number of town houses.

There were three fire tenders on site within minutes and gardai acted quickly to cordon off the entire High Street and all access points to it.

Many people were inconvenienced and were out of their homes for a number of hours. Residents of Poyntz Lane, Guard Lane, William Street, parts of High Street and Garden Row were forced to leave their homes and turn out into the damp drizzle and the cold.

As the fire spread, local people looked on in shock as flames spread through Supermac's.

It was a case of deja vu for older people because in 1983, the City Hall was gutted by fire.

Ins Aidan Brennan said the first priority was to evacuate the buildings to endure there was no loss of life.

Cllr Paul Cuddihy who came down to see if he could help praised the fire service for their commitment and bravery in battling the elements and the fire to bring it under control.

The building is owned by the Duggan family and they were also present during the operation.