The incident took place the day before indoor hospitality resumed

Beloved Dun Laoghaire restaurant Hartley’s, has been forced to close until further notice following a fire on the premises. The incident happened in the early hours of July 25th, just a day before the resumption of indoor drinking and dining.

“To say we are gutted by this is an understatement,” owners Julie and Kirsty wrote on Instagram, “Especially for our staff who have already been through so much in the last 18 months”.

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“We are naturally devastated, especially since the Terrace has been so full of happy and appreciative customers since the beginning of June. However, given the seriousness of the fire, we are also very relieved that it happened in the middle of the night, the restaurant was empty and nobody has been hurt. We will be back as soon as possible.”

Five units from Dublin Fire Brigade [DFB] attended the scene late on July 25th, where firefighters in breathing apparatus on a hydraulic platform tackled the fire “and prevented any further damage” the tweet from DFB reads.

Well wishes poured in on social media, with local business Le chocolat de Frèd sending the team in some flowers. A representative from the cafe wrote on Instagram his morning a very special thought for Julie and Kirsty, owners of @hartleysrestaurant who had a fire in their great restaurant overnight,” they added, “we are so sad for you and we look forward to seeing you open again very soon our dear friends”.

Elsewhere on District: 17 common questions about the return of indoor drinking and dining