Vintage heartbreak ... 60,000 bottles pop their corks in fire

The heartbreaking sound of corks popping on 60,000 bottles of vintage wine could be clearly heard as a fire destroyed a warehouse in County Westmeath, the owner has said.

The fine wine - worth up to £350 a bottle - was destroyed at a merchant's premises in Mullingar on Monday night.



Paddy Keogh, of Wines Direct, said his warehouse in Green Road caught fire as he prepared for his busiest time of year. "It's like farming - there's a harvest season, and Christmas is our harvest season," he said.

Thousands of wooden cases, used to protect the wines during shipping, are believed to have added to the intensity of the fire, which took more than two hours to bring under control.

Fortunately, about 90% of the business's stock is kept in bond in Dublin and Mr Keogh assured his staff that they would not be losing their jobs over the fire.