Appliance ‘caused fatal Kerry fire’

A FIRE which resulted in the death of a 61-year-old man at his home in Killarney is believed to have begun with an electrical appliance.

Sean O’Keeffe was found in the kitchen/living room area of the single-storey house at Pinewood Estate, in the Park Road area of the town, shortly after 7.30pm on Monday.

A neighbour spotted the windows of Mr O’Keeffe’s house were blackened and raised the alarm.

“A preliminary examination suggests the fire was accidental and started with an electrical appliance,” said Sergeant Ray Walsh.

An investigation is being carried out to determine the exact cause of the fire.

Mr O’Keeffe was well-known in Killarney and worked in a local licensed premises.

A post mortem was carried out at Kerry General Hospital, Tralee, yesterday.