Suspicious circumstances not ruled out as man dies in Cork house fire

Victim has been named as Michael O'Sullivan who was in his early 60s. Neighbours helped a woman escape the blaze.

1st February 2025; Garda and forensics at the scene of the fatal fire at the first floor (right hand side) at 94 Togher road Cork. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

Gardaí are trying to establish whether the victim of house fire in Cork city on Friday night died in suspicious circumstances.

A technical examination of the scene at the three-storey flats complex just off Togher Road, close to The Lough, will be completed shortly.

The deceased, in his early 60s has been named locally as Michael O'Sullivan. He was found in the flats after firefighters were called to reports of a house fire just before 7pm.

Four units of the Cork City Fire Brigade rushed to the scene and brought the blaze under control quickly.

However, when fire fighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the building to check for occupants, they found a man’s body inside.

A woman who was also in the flat managed to escape.

Shocked neighbours spoke afterwards of how they spotted smoke and heard shouts for help coming from the flat just before 7pm and they ran to help. 

One woman who lives nearby braved intense smoke on a landing to help the female occupant of the flat to safety. 

She was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation. But the smoke was so thick, neighbours couldn't get inside to help the man.

The body remains at the scene and the city coroner has been informed.

The cause of the fire has yet to be established.

It is understood that the results of forensic tests on materials at the scene will play a key role in establishing the exact circumstances of the blaze.

A garda source said this morning that gardaí had opted to call in the services of the Office of the State Pathologist for a post mortem examination, which is scheduled to take place on Sunday morning. He said the results of that will help direct the investigation.

Local Fianna Fáil Cllr Fergal Dennehy said the tragedy had rocked the community. 

"This is a terrible tragedy which has shocked the neighbours and friends in this normally quiet and tight-knit community. It's a lovely little area known locally as 'The Square', where everyone knows everyone, and where everyone looks out for each other. Our thoughts and prayers are with the deceased and their family at this difficult time," he said.