An investigation is underway after a cluster of fires in the Darndale area of Dublin overnight.

The fire service says resources were seriously stretched in dealing with all three incidents with units called in from across the city.

Seven units spent six hours tending to the fires at a kitchen factory on the Malahide Road Industrial Estate and at a number of abandoned buildings in nearby Darndale. A series of cars were also set alight at a scrap yard at Summerhill.

The fire at PC Kitchens was reported shortly after 10pm last night and quickly escalated, with six units called to the scene.

Shortly afterwards a water tanker was brought in because of a shortage in water mains pressure. Nobody was in the building at the time and there were no reports of injuries.

The other fires broke out within the following hour.

A forensic examination is to take place to establish if the fires were started maliciously.

Main image: Stock photo of Irish fire services quenching a fire.