Man dies in house fire

THE man who died in a fire at his home in Tipperary town was named last night as Andrew Flavin, 46.

Mr Flavin who was an invalid, lived alone at Fr Mathew Road.

It is believed that he died from smoke inhalation in the downstairs section of his two-storey house yesterday afternoon.

Mr Flavin was single and used to work in the family panel beating business up to some years ago when his health began to deteriorate.

The Mayor of Tipperary, Cllr Billy Bourke, said last night: “We are all very saddened and shocked.

“I knew Andrew very well as we grew up together at Cashel Road and went to the same school.

“We were friends all our life and out sympathy goes out to his two brothers and his sister. It’s very sad.”

A neighbour, Nicholas Cummins said: “Andrew needed a frame to help him move around.

“He had a home help and neighbours used to help him with the shopping and other chores.”

The fire was reported at 1.30am yesterday.

A garda spokesman said: “When the fire brigade got to the scene the fire had extinguished itself. It appears the dead man may have died from smoke inhalation.”