A fire has broken out at a site in Coolock, north Dublin, that was being renovated to accommodate international protection applicants.

Dublin Fire Brigade are at the former Crown Paints factory on the Malahide Road in the city.

Hoses have been put over the wall and smoke is coming from the building.

The fire brigade said that two fire engines are on scene.

They said: “Firefighters are extinguishing the fire which has been contained and we expect to be finished at the scene soon.”

The site at Coolock in North Dublin was to become a site for asylum seekers.

It had been the centre of protests and violence earlier in the week over the proposals.

An Garda Síochána said: “Gardaí and emergency services are currently at the scene of an incident in which a fire has broken out at a premises on the Malahide Road, Coolock, Dublin 17.

The Malahide Road at Coolock remains open in both directions at this time.

A protest camp has been in place outside the site since March.