Mother dies in ‘tragic accident’

GARDAÍ have described the death of a mother-of-five in a house fire in Dublin as a tragic accident.

Wendy Murdoch, 48, had been alone in the house at Inagh Court in Ballybrack when the fire broke out after 9pm on Saturday.

While gardaí have preserved the scene for a technical examination, it is not thought to be suspicious.

A garda spokesperson said the fire was believed to be a “tragic accident.”

The council house was gutted by the fire and neighbouring houses were also slightly damaged.

Ms Murdoch’s body was removed to Loughlinstown Hospital for a postmortem. She is survived by her husband and children.

Local Labour councillor Denis O’Callaghan said the family were well known in the area and extended his sympathies to them.

“I am deeply shocked by this tragedy, especially at the time of year it is,” he said.

This latest tragedy brings the number of fire deaths this year to 34, with nine of these in Dublin and eight in Cork.

The National Safety Council (NSC) is warning people to be especially careful about the dangers of fire during the festive season.

The NSC is urging people to ensure they have working smoke alarms, to cover open fires with a spark guard and to remember to extinguish candles and unplug all electrical equipment before going to bed.