Man held as two die in Cork house fire

Detectives investigating the deaths of a young woman and a child in a house fire have arrested a man.

The 22-year-old is being questioned about the overnight blaze at Nutley Avenue in Mahon, Cork.

Helena O’Dwyer, 25, and her nephew Ryan, 5, died after being trapped inside the terraced house.

Six other members of the O’Dwyer family, including three other young children, managed to escape the outbreak which was detected at around 3.15am.

Investigating officers arrested the man in Cork at around 12.30pm this afternoon.

He is being detained at the Bridewell Garda station in the city under section four of the Criminal Justice Act.

Forensic experts are examining the scene of the house fire.

Those who fled the blaze included a 54-year-old man, a 49-year-old woman, a 21-year-old woman, a 4 year-old boy and two girls, aged 5 and 2.