Gardaí are investigating a fire at a residential property in south Dublin, after rumours it could potentially house asylum seekers.
The alarm was raised shortly after 11.30pm on Sunday night, with the blaze on the Sandyford Road quickly being brought under control.
The property was empty at the time and undergoing renovation.
The Irish Times reports the fire started days after claims circulated online that the former guest house was being converted for asylum seekers.
A garda spokesperson says: "Gardaí at Stepaside are investigating fire damage to a residential property on Sandyford Road, Dublin.
"The alarm was raised shortly after 11:30pm on Sunday, 7th January and the fire was quickly brought under control by Fire Services, preventing any substantial or structural damage occurring.
"The property was vacant at the time and undergoing renovation. The alarm was raised by security personnel and no one was injured. The scene was examined by local Garda scenes of crime officers and enquiries are ongoing.An Garda Síochána is aware of possible misinformation, disinformation and rumour in relation to the use or proposed use of vacant properties."
