Man, 82, killed in house fire

ONE person was killed and 11 needed hospital treatment following three separate blazes in Dublin and Cork over the weekend.

An 82-year-old man died when a fire broke out at his home in the Fermoy area late on Saturday. His body was discovered by a relative who lives in the house in Boherash, Glanworth, Co Cork.

The cause of the fire has not been established, but it is not thought to have been malicious. Gardaí in Mitchelstown sealed off the scene. Only one room in the house was damaged in the blaze.

Seven adults and two children needed treatment after a fire broke out at a flat complex in the Rialto area of south Dublin yesterday morning.

“I have seen much worse out of less serious fires,” said District Officer Bertie Collins, who described how six of the residents of the three-storey complex had to wait on the upper floor as firefighters battled the blaze below.

The apartment where the fire broke out was totally gutted, while adjoining flats suffered smoke damage. Mr Collins said when crews arrived on the scene they feared the worst because the fire had taken hold, flames and smoke were billowing out of the window and licking up the walls of the block.

Other residents were evacuated, but six of them were trapped on the third floor while firefighters battled the blaze and made it safe to come down.

A 45-foot ladder was deployed but not needed as residents managed to be escorted down through the smoke.

Eight of the nine who needed treatment were released from Our Lady’s Children’s and St James’ hospitals yesterday while one, a woman, was detained overnight. Her condition is said to be stable.

In Clontarf, on the northside of the city, two people were admitted to hospital after a house fire at Kincora Court near Vernon Avenue. A man is still being treated in hospital but his condition is described as not serious.

Meanwhile, a motorcyclist was killed in a road accident in South Tipperary yesterday afternoon.

The accident happened around 1pm, a few miles outside Carrick-on-Suir on the Carrick/Dungarvon Road. It is understood the motorbike collided with a jeep.