Mother dies in housefire tragedy

Gardaí said today that the death of a mother-of-five in a house fire in Dublin was a tragic accident.

The woman, named locally as 48-year-old Wendy Murdoch, had been alone in the house at Inagh Court in Ballybrack when the fire broke out at around 9pm yesterday.

Gardaí have preserved the scene for technical examination but although the cause of the fire is not yet known, it is not thought to be suspicious.

“It is believed to be a tragic accident,” said a garda spokeswoman.

The house was badly damaged in the blaze and neighbouring houses in the large council estate were also slightly damaged.

Ms Murdoch’s body was removed to Loughlinstown Hospital for post mortem examination. She is survived by her husband and five children.

Local Labour Party councillor Denis O’Callaghan said the family had been well known in the area.

“I’m deeply shocked by this tragedy, especially at the time of year it is, coming right up to Christmas week. I extend my sympathies to the family,” he said.

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

As part of its Christmas fire safety campaign, the National Safety Council is urging people to have a working smoke alarm, to cover open fires with a fire guard, to extinguish candles at night and to plug out all electrical equipment before going to bed.