Toddler dies in Cork fire

A two-year-old boy has died in a house fire in Cork city.

The blaze broke out at a house at Elm Lawn in Wilton at around 4am.

The child's mother and 4-year-old brother who were also in the house at the time are currently in a serious condition at Cork University Hospital.

The blaze is believed to have started in a downstairs room while the mother and her two boys were asleep upstairs.

Fire crews used breathing apparatus to bring the three from the blazing house, and they were taken to the nearby Cork University Hospital.

The 2-year-old boy was later pronounced dead, while his brother and the boys' mother - who is in her 20s - are said to be in a serious condition.

An investigation has been launched to establish the cause of the blaze and the scene has been sealed off for a technical examination.

Neighbours and gardaí made desperate attempts to reach the family before firefighters arrived, but were beaten back by thick black smoke.

Edward Buckley, third fire officer at Cork City Fire Brigade, said fire crews extinguished an intense fire contained in the kitchen before they recovered the three people upstairs.

“They found one child lying in a bed in a front bedroom,” he said.

“They rescued the child and he was handed to the ambulance crews at the door.

“Another child was found with his mother in the same room. All three were unconscious.

“They were sleeping when the fire broke out.”

Mr Buckley said CPR was administered to the woman and children at the scene.

“One child show signs of response very early, possibly the mother did as well,” he said.

“Unfortunately, one child was a fatality. The two-year-old died.

“It’s something we are constantly prepared for but when it happens it’s heartbreaking.

“We are all parents and grandparents so it’s very, very hard. There were a lot of sad men going home this morning.”

The fire officer revealed a neighbour had opened the front door and smashed a window in a bid to reach the family.

Gardaí and ambulance crews were also at the scene when fire crews arrived, six minutes after the first emergency call.

He said early indications show the blaze was a “tragic accident” and not suspicious.

“It was downstairs and it appears to have started in the kitchen area,” he said.

“From what I’m gathering it’s possible somebody just didn’t turn off the cooker.

“It doesn’t appear to be anything suspicious. Just a tragic accident.

“The fire was contained in the area but the smoke was the biggest problem. It was horrendous.”

Mr Buckley appealed to householders to be aware of fire safety, particularly during the night.

“Double-check everything before you go to bed, it’s good housekeeping,” he added.

“Most of these situations are accidents. A lot of it is complacency which has very serious outcomes.

“You pay the ultimate price.”