Classic car hub destroyed by fire in Ireland

A warehouse in Ireland, which played host to a number of automotive businesses including a classic car dealer and drift shop, has burned to the ground – with dozens of rare models destroyed in the process.

The fire broke out at The Engine Block in Dublin on Tuesday night, with six fire engines and police called to the scene to tackle the enormous blaze.

It’s understood the flames broke out in the main workshop, but the incident is not thought to be suspicious. Two people were in the building at the time, a mechanic and another man who was helping with some electrical work.

The business, which had been running out of the former meat processing plant for the last two years, was completely gutted by the inferno – fortunately though, no-one was injured.

A hub for classic car enthusiasts to meet, The Engine Block hosted a wide range of businesses – featuring everything from a motorcycle dealer to detailing and wheel refurbishment services, a seat upholsterer, a garage supply shop, transporter, and even a cafe, according to The Drive.

"Unfortunately our family business is no more," Deane Motors, the site's classic car dealer, said in an Instagram post. “50 years to build it, five hours to destroy it. The most important thing is, everyone is safe and nobody was harmed."

It's not yet clear how many cars were lost in the fire, but among some of those thought to belong to businesses operating out of the building are an Audi R8, BMW M3 (E30), Chevrolet Impala SS convertible, Subaru Impreza Prodrive P1, Toyota GR Yaris, and a Lancia Fulvia S1 Rallye.

In addition, the resident drift shop, Drift Games, said a Nissan Skyline GT-R (R32), three Nissan Silvias, a Chevrolet C-10, BMW 633i, Lamborghini Gallardo, and more were lost to the blaze.

Posting an update on its Instagram page on Friday, Deane Motors added: “We’re kind of lost for words with support from people, the whole motoring community, people who don’t even know us, we’ve had businesses offer tools and working space, it would bring you to tears the generosity.”