A well-known shop in Harold’s Cross will be closed for the foreseeable future, after a devastating blaze on Thursday.
Rugs to Rhinos on Harold’s Cross Road was subject to an early morning burglary yesterday, during which it is suspected the shop was left ablaze for over two hours.
Firefighters from Donnybrook, Dolphins Barn and Rathfarnham all tackled the blaze, with the shop closed and taped off by Gardai after the fire was put out.
Firefighters from Dolphins Barn, Rathfarnham, Donnybrook and a turntable ladder from HQ fought a fire in a furniture shop in Harolds Cross overnight. The first call was received at 0020. It took about two hours to fully extinguish the fire. There were no injuries. pic.twitter.com/ECzmPnrgIK
— Dublin Fire Brigade (@DubFireBrigade) June 13, 2019
Taking to Facebook, the owners of Rugs to Rhinos posted saying that they couldn’t get into the shop due to structural damage, and asked customers to ‘be patient for a bit’
The post read: “We are going to need a week or so to get organised and see where we are and what’s gone. I would ask you to be patient with us for a bit and we are not going to be able to answer any questions until the start of the week after next.
“If you are waiting on something it will still be coming and if you have goods in the store we will update you when we know the story. We are not selling any goods for a while. So don’t call the shop and please save your questions for a week or so and we will be back on line then to answer them thx [sic]”.
Owners posted a number of images of the inside and outside of the building in the comments, showing a Garda presence outside the store in addition to devastating internal damage.
Harold’s Cross locals and lovers of Rugs to Rhinos alike flooded the comments section, consoling the owners on the damage to the premises and recalling what they loved most about the quirky vintage shop.
Susan wrote: “So sorry to hear that this has happened to your lovely shop. I have bought a few garden ornaments from you which my little girl loves. I hope you will be back in business soon. Wishing you and your lovely staff good luck.”
Another customer, Anne-Marie, said her daughter was ‘very worried’. She said: “Awful to hear this. Saw the mess this morning when we drove past and just hoped no one injured. By little girl was “very worried in case the nice man who owns the treasure shop was hurt by bad guys”. Good luck with the next few weeks ‘clean up’.”
Elaine posted: “I am so so sorry this happened to your beautiful shop. I was just there on Tuesday. Its always a pleasure to call as the staff are so helpful and nice. I hope you are back in business before long. Wishing you nothing but GOOD LUCK for the future.”
Over 500 comments of support and well-meaning wishes were posted, as well as over 1,200 people sharing emotive ‘anger’ and ‘sad’ reactions to the post.
The owner of Rugs to Rhinos took to the comments a while later to thank everyone for their kind remarks.
“[This is the] first time I have cried today, reading your comments and support. Really appreciate it.”
Dublin Fire Brigade have reported that there was no injuries in the blaze, while Gardai are still investigating the fire.
