‘Extensive damage…’ One of Cork’s most famous buildings is up in flames

It is believed that a derelict part of the former St Anne's psychiatric hospital on the Lee Road went on fire on Tuesday evening. The building has been abandoned for some time. There are reports that the blaze is now under control. However, one eye-witness - Katie O'Sullivan - told us late on Tuesday night that the fire was "definitely not under control yet". She shared an alarming snap of the scene - with the fire clearly continuing and smoke billowing from the structure.

St Anne's is one of Cork's iconic landmarks and and looks out over the River Lee and the Carrigrohane Road. https://twitter.com/kateoherlihy8/status/882333466553192448 Independent.ie reports that the fire "spread quickly within the four-storey building and, at one point, flames could be seen raging through the building roof." https://twitter.com/CorksRedFM/status/882331097832542208 The same report adds: "The tall plume of smoke from the burning complex could be seen all over Cork's skyline."