Woman dies in Cork house blaze

A woman died as a result of a house fire in a Cork city suburb yesterday.

It is believed the victim, a woman in her 60s, and her dog were the only occupants of the house in Curraheen Drive in Bishopstown.

At approximately 6.10pm, emergency services received a call from the area after the alarm was raised by a member of the public.

Three fire crews rushed to the scene and removed the woman from the house. However, she was declared dead a short time later.

With no major damage to the exterior of the house, it is understood there may have been a small fire in one part of the property and that the deaths of the woman and her dog may have been down to smoke inhalation. The blaze could have started a number of hours earlier. There was significant smoke damage to the interior of the property.

The scene was examined by Garda and forensic experts. However, it is believed the fire started accidentally.

The woman’s body was due to be removed to Cork University Hospital where an autopsy is expected to be carried out later today.

Gardaí will then prepare a file for the coroner’s court.