Elderly brother and sister among 3 killed in fires

AN elderly brother and sister died in a fire in their house in Co Cork which gardaí believe was started accidentally.

Michael Coleman, 88, and his sister, Nora, who was 85, died in the fire at their home at Rathcoursey, East Ferry, 8km south of Midleton.

A neighbour reported smoke coming from their home at around 5.15am yesterday and alerted the emergency services.

Fire brigade crews from Midleton and Cobh arrived soon after.

When they had dampened down the fire they found the elderly brother and sister inside the building.

It is believed they were overcome by smoke.

They were both pronounced dead at the scene by a doctor from SouthDoc and their bodies were taken to Cork University Hospital.

Post mortems were carried out on their bodies yesterday evening by assistant state pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster.

Prayers were offered for Michael and Nora at the Church of St Erasmus in Aghada yesterday morning.

Local parish priest Fr Denis Kelleher described them as “very solid citizens” who were very well known and respected in the community.

He said Michael was a general labourer for many years who worked on farms and who loved fishing. He was quite a fit man and enjoyed walking.

Fr Kelleher said Nora had spent a number of years working in England during World War II but had then returned to her home.

He said the brother and sister lived together and looked after each other.

“This is a terrible tragedy and an awful shock to the community,” Fr Kelleher said.

Gardaí sealed off the bungalow as forensic experts carried out a detailed technical examination of the scene.

A garda spokesman said it appeared that the fire started in Mr Coleman’s bedroom and said “we are not treating the incident as suspicious”.

Meanwhile, a man in his 20s died in a fire in a prefab on the grounds of Christ Church in Bray, Co Wicklow. The body of the man, who was believed to be sleeping rough in the prefab, was found around 3am yesterday in the gutted structured.

Deputy state pathologist Dr Michael Curtis carried out a forensic examination at the scene and the man’s body was taken to Loughlinstown Hospital for a post-mortem.

Rev Baden Stanley of Christ Church said his thoughts were with the victim’s family.

A garda spokesperson said that they are following an open line of inquiry.