A SHOP assistant at a Dublin pharmacist has told how two youths tried to kill staff members by starting a fire in the premises before fleeing and closing the door behind them.

The incident, which took place in Ballymun, north Dublin, on Friday afternoon, terrified employees who managed to escape as flames engulfed the premises.

According to shop assistant Michelle Delaney (35), two youths in hoodies walked into the shop and doused the interior with petrol before setting it alight and running for safety.

"They tried to kill us; they set [the shop on] fire and then closed the door behind them," she told the Sunday Tribune.

"I was standing in the shop behind the counter and I thought there was someone shoplifting.

"When I looked around there were two blokes standing there pouring petrol on the floor and they set light to it and ran out the door.

"I just about got out. The shop is usually full of kids. We were very lucky there was no one around at the time but we got an awful fright.

"I had a lovely little job and it was a great shop and now it's gone. I don't think they will get it back up and running."

Eye witnesses said there was a mother trapped on the balcony above the pharmacy holding a five-month-old baby.

She wrapped it in a towel and managed to escape from a back entrance.

It is believed the pharmacy had recently stopped its meth­adone programme although it is unclear if this had anything to do with the incident.

Staff who have been left without work in the run up to Christmas are devastated.

"[The pharmacy] was absolutely gutted," said one witness.

"The windows had smashed from the flames and from the fire brigade trying to get in. The interior was blackened and gutted and there was soot everywhere."

It is understood that the petrol was poured on baby products and deodorant which were combustable materials.

The fire subsequently spread very quickly.

People were in shock because there had never been any trouble in the pharmacy before.

A motive for the attack is unknown but gardaí at Ballymun are investigating.