EXPERTS INVESTIGATING THE circumstances surrounding a house fire in Cork, in which two people died, are appealing for the assistance of the public.

Twenty-five-year-old Helena O’Dwyer and her five-year-old nephew Ryan O’Dwyer died in the blaze in Nutley Avenue in Cork.

Gardaí are interested in talking to a number of possible witnesses who may be able to assist with the investigation: two males were seen in the Rope Walk area of Blackrock, Cork between 2.00am and 3.00am on Sunday 24 April 2011. The first is described as wearing a hoodie-type top with the hood pulled over his head; the second is described as being bare chested but wearing clothing on the lower half of his body.

In addition to these two males, gardaí would also like to talk to a middle aged-couple seen walking on Nutley Road towards Ringmahon Road at approximately 3.00am on Sunday 24 April 2011.

Gardai would also like to talk to those travelling in a silver-to-light coloured Toyota Avensis estate (which may have been a taxi or hackney) and was seen in the Blackrock Road and Convent Avenue area at approximately 2.50am on Sunday 24 April 2011.

Anyone who was at the scene of the fire and may have recorded footage on their mobile phone or camcorder have been asked to contact the gardaí.

Witnesses who were in the locations mentioned or who can assist with this investigation are asked to contact the  Incident Room at Anglesea Street at 021 4522000, The Garda Confidential Telephone Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.