Photos: Aishling Conway
A large fire has broken out tonight at the controversial unfinished shopping centre in Naas town centre.
Several units of Kildare Fire Service from Naas and Newbridge fire stations are at the scene and are battling the blaze as darkness falls.
Gardai are also at the scene and are closing nearby roads to traffic and pedestrians.
The tall flames and thick, black smoke can be seen rising above the distinctive cranes on the abandoned site for several miles away.
News emerged this week that a receiver has been appointed to take over the partially-built shopping centre which fell victim to the economic crash in 2008 and has laid vacant and under-developed ever since.
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View from across Naas town (Pic:Dean Philip Curtis)
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Thick smoke seen from street level
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Traffic disrupted by the blaze
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Fire fighters at the scene