LAST UPDATE | 5 Apr

A MAN AND a woman have died in a house fire in Cork city.

Gardaí and fire services were alerted to the fire on Lower Glanmire Road in Mayfield at around 11.15pm last night.

The fire was brought under control by fire services. 

The bodies of a man in his 80s and woman in her 70s were identified in the building shortly after 1am and were recovered from inside the house.

Both bodies have been taken to the Mortuary at Cork University Hospital for post-mortem examinations.

The Cork City Coroner has been informed, and the results of the post-mortems, along with a technical examination of the scene, will guide the ongoing Garda investigation.

Speaking to The Opinion Line on Cork’s 96FM, Cork City Fire Brigade’s Second Officer Victor Shine said flames were coming out through the front of the building and through the roof when the fire brigade got to the scene.

“It was a three-storey building with additional space in the attic. The front of the building, it looks easily accessible but at the rear at the building, where the public as they’re driving by wouldn’t see how difficult it would be for fire crews to get in,” Shine said.

“There were multiple challenges at the back of the building.”

Investigating gardaí have cordoned off the scene as they work to determine the cause of the fire.

Traffic restrictions are currently in effect at the scene on Lower Glanmire Road, with traffic reduced to one lane. Motorists are advised to use alternate routes.

There are some more control measures to be put in place on the building ahead of Storm Kathleen tomorrow, according to Shine.

“It is hazardous to passing traffic and pedestrians so there is a cordon area around the building until it is made safe,” he said. 

The two casualities, a couple, owned a grocery store in the local area and were well-known locally. 

Councillor Joe Kavanagh, who lives close to the scene, said the news is “so tragic”. 

“It just puts things into perspective,” he told The Journal. 

Kavanagh said everyone in the community is devastated and “numbed” by the news. 

Speaking to The Journal, local Councillor Ted Tynan said they were “very friendly people”.

“It’s a tragic loss. They were a real part of the community down there,” he said. 

Eilish Corcoran, secretary of the Lower Glanmire Road Residents’ Association, has offered condolences to the family of the couple. 

Corcoran told The Journal that the woman was “born and bred” in the local area and described the couple as “lovely people” who were part of the community. 

In a post on social media, local Councillor Ken O’Flynn said he is “deeply saddened” by the deaths. 

“My heart goes out to all those affected by this devastating incident,” O’Flynn said. 

“My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Lower Glanmire Road as they navigate through this challenging period,” he said. 

“May those impacted find strength and comfort in the midst of this tragedy, and may they feel the support and compassion of their community.”

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Mayfield Garda Station on 021 455 8510, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any garda station.