Couple in their 70s die in West Cork house fire

A couple in their 70s were found dead after a house fire broke out in Raheen, near Crossbarry, outside Innishannon, County Cork, on Tuesday morning.

Emergency services received a call shortly after 7 am and one of the victims managed to raise the alarm before the blaze gutted the detached rural house. The bodies were removed from the scene in a hearse around lunchtime.

Cork County Fire Service, Gardaí and other emergency crews remained on site, approximately 16 km south‑west of Cork city, working to extinguish the fire. The approach road to the property stayed cordoned off and smoke was still visible above the tree‑covered ruins. A recovery truck also removed a car from the scene earlier in the afternoon.

The cause of the fire has not yet been established and is under investigation. Autopsies will be carried out at the Cork city morgue, and the results will determine whether a Garda file is needed for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

A neighbour, who spoke to the man only on Monday while walking his dog, described the couple as “very quiet, very decent people” and said the deaths were “a terrible shock for everyone”.

Chief Superintendent Vincent O’Sullivan said the incident was “a terrible tragedy for the community” and appealed for anyone who passed the house before 7 am to contact Macroom Garda Station on 026 20590.

Source: Irish Examiner. Photo: Serhii Bondarchuk / Pexels.