Dublin hotel fire: Dozens of firefighters tackle serious blaze on upper floors of building

'This is going to leave a major scar on the landscape of Ballymun'

The blaze took hold at the Metro Hotel, near Dublin Airport, on the northside of the city (Brian Lawless/PA Wire)

A fire has broken out on the upper floors of the Metro Hotel in Dublin.

The hotel and apartment complex is located near Dublin Airport, on the northside of the city.

At least eight fire crews battled to stop the blaze from spreading.

Dublin Fire Brigade said there were no reports of injuries or missing people.

“8 fire engines, 2 aerial appliances, emergency tender, foam tender, command units and senior officers at scene,” the service tweeted.

“Firefighters using breathing apparatus inside hotel to search & extinguish.”

In another tweet, the service said: "As of yet we have no reports of any casualties or people unaccounted for."

The Metro Hotel building compromises hotel rooms on the lower floors and residential apartments on the upper floors.

It is sometimes used to accommodate families in need of housing.

Paul McAuliffe, a Dublin city councillor, said he believed everyone had been evacuated safely.

“We understand from the hotel staff that all of the people living in the accommodation and residents of the hotel got out safely,” he said.

“We believe everyone got out safely.”

He said at least five floors were still engulfed in flames at 10pm.

“Windows and cladding are peeling off the building and falling down onto the side wing where the hotel is,” he added.

“Dublin Fire Brigade are doing their best to make sure the fire doesn’t spread from the upper levels down onto the broader-based hotel parts of the building.”

The Fianna Fail representative added: “Windows are exploding and fire and debris are billowing out the side of the building.

“This is going to leave a major scar on the landscape of Ballymun.”

Ireland's Housing minister, Eoghan Murphy, tweeted: "I want to thank DubFireBrigade who continue to battle a major fire at the Metro Hotel in Ballymun under difficult conditions. We are monitoring the situation closely."