Neighbours 'tried frantically' to rescue man from Bray house fire; arson suspected

A post mortem is being carried out this evening on the body of a man who died in a suspected arson attack at his home in Bray, Co Wicklow.

The father of five, who was a wheelchair user, died as a fire ripped through his home at Oldcourt Avenue at around 4.30am.

One of his sons who was also in the house managed to escape the blaze.

The body of the deceased has been taken to St Columcille's Hospital where a post mortem will be conducted.

Gardaí are appealing for anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area in the early hours to get in touch.

Local Sinn Féin Councillor John Brady said people tried desperately to save the man.

"Neighbours tried frantically to save him. They tried to smash an upstairs window at the back of the house," he said. "The intensity of the fire and smoke (meant) they were incapable of getting (him) out."