Gardaí say 10 people, including a number of children, have died in a fire at a halting site in Carrickmines in South Dublin.

The blaze is not being treated as suspicious.

It is largest loss of life by fire in the state since 48 people were killed in the Stardust nightclub in 1981.

Emergency services arrived at the scene on Glenamuck road at around 4:30am, following a call from a member of the public.

Two of the four housing units on the site were badly damaged in the fire. Initial investigations suggest that the blaze broke out in one and spread to another.

In a press conference this afternoon, gardaí said that the 10 victims are from two families, with the youngest aged six months.

Photo: Sam Boal/Rollingnews.ie

Three people remain in hospital this afternoon, where they are being treated for smoke inhalation. A child and a baby were among those who were taken to Tallaght and St Vincent's hospitals in Dublin, though one has since died.

The Glenamuck Road remains sealed off as members of the Garda Technical Bureau carry out a technical exam.

Gerry Stanley from the Dublin Fire Brigade said officers arrived following a 999 call to find the fire already well underway:

Chief Superintendent Diarmuid O Sullivan says the community has rallied to support those affected:

Local resident Sharon McCoy says the news of the fire has shocked people in the area:

Sinn Féin councillor Chris Curran says it will come as a major shock to people living in the area:

Meanwhile political, church and community leaders have expressed their shock at the Carrickmines tragedy.

They were led by the President Michael D Higgins who expressed his condolences to the families and friends of those affected - describing it as "a most dreadful tragedy."

The Southside Traveller Action Group has said it is doing "everything [it] can to support" those affected.

Archbishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin said the news was "heartbreaking for all in the Traveller and wider local community."

He has asked that all those who have died and those injured and  their families be remembered in prayer at all Masses in the Archdiocese this weekend.

The Tánaiste Joan Burton said she was "deeply saddened to learn of the tragedy."

Fianna Fáil Leader Micheál Martin has said he is extremely shocked by the tragic fire overnight in South Dublin. Sinn Féin's Gerry Adams said his thoughts thoughts are with the bereaved, as well as the fire fighters and first responders

The Communications Minister Alex White, whose constituency the fire broke out in, says our thoughts and prayers are with those who are currently battling with their injuries, and the families and friends of the all those who died.