Couple who died in Cork house fire had been celebrating birth of first grandchild

A couple who died in a house fire in Cork on Thursday night were celebrating the birth of their first grandchild at their home with friends and family a short time before the deadly fire broke out.

“They were so happy,” one tearful neighbour said, describing John and Gay O'Donnell in the hours before their tragic deaths.

Mr O'Donnell was in his 80s and Mrs O'Donnell was in her 70s. Described as "pillars of the community", the couple died after a fire broke out at their home - a tiled building on Lower Glanmire Road near Kent train station - on Thursday night.

Neighbours rushed to the scene around 11pm and tried to get in to help the couple but an explosion inside the house, intense heat, flames and thick black smoke stopped them from entering.

One local who was at the scene trying to help the couple after 11pm said the windows on the ground floor exploded and there was so much smoke it was difficult to see.

Firefighters had to to return to the scene of the fatal fire at 6pm on Friday as smoke was again seen coming from the building. Picture: Larry Cummins

Emergency services arrived at the scene at about 11.15pm and Cork City Fire Brigade brought the intense blaze under control.

The bodies of the couple were located close together by emergency services and were taken together to Cork University Hospital for a post mortem.

Gardaí are now investigating the fire. A spokesperson said the results of the autopsies, and the results of a technical examination of the scene, will determine the course of their investigation.

They have appealed for witnesses to contact Mayfield Garda Station on 021- 4558510, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.

Investigations are underway following the fatal house fire on the Lower Glanmire Road, Cork. Picture: Larry Cummins

Some friends and family had only left a gathering in the house - a celebration of the birth of the O'Donnell's first grandchild that day - less than one hour before the fire broke out.

“They were so excited to have their first grandchild. I can’t get it out of my head," one grieving neighbour said.

“They were taking out all the baby clothes for their granddaughter last night. There was a little Peter Rabbit jacket."

Another neighbour said: “It’s horrific. They were so nice. We were with them last night just before the fire broke out. They were so happy. I can't get my head around it. It's surreal."

The O'Donnell's have one adult son who works as a pilot in Qatar.

“He’s their only child. Now the birth of his daughter will also be the anniversary of his parents’ deaths. It’s so sad,” another grieving neighbour said.

The couple had a little French Bulldog called Gus who has not been seen since the tragic fire, neighbours said.

Cork City Fire Brigade Second Officer Victor Shine said that the fire was a terrible tragedy.

“The deceased were removed from the house at about 2.15am this morning. They were taken together to Cork University Hospital for a postmortem," Mr Shine told the Irish Examiner.

The fire service had to secure the building on Thursday as Storm Kathleen was approaching, Mr Shine said.

The roof was completely destroyed by the flames so the fire service had to work on hydraulic lifts on Thursday to secure roof timbers on the four-storey building and remove material that could be blown onto the street during the upcoming storm, due to hit Cork on Saturday morning.

“The roof timbers and all that had to be secured in case it came down onto pedestrians on the footpath or out onto the road in front of motorists,” Mr Shine said.

The house was completely gutted by the flames.

“It’s a tragic story,” he said. “A tragic accident.” Neighbours in adjoining houses were evacuated on Thursday night after the fire broke out.

The scene of the fatal fire on the Lower Glanmire Road, Cork. Picture: Larry Cummins

Declan McCarthy, who lives two doors up, said there was panic when they were evacuated just after 11pm.

"It was scary. There was panic on the street outside, people directing traffic and fire brigades. I came out the door and saw flames gushing up.

“We were on the street for about two-and-a-half hours and saw the fire rushing up to the roof.

“I didn’t know the couple well but we’d say hi on the street. They always seemed such genuine people. They had a little dog too, you'd often see them walking it.” 

 Another neighbour said: "They lived on this road for a long time. They were such pillars of the community. Everyone loved them. We are all devastated."