Two people have died in a house fire that occurred overnight in rural Co. Mayo, close to the town of Swinford.
It is understood that the deceased are a couple.
Gardaí confirmed that they received a report of a fire at a domestic residence in the area of Deerpark, which lies on the rural outskirts of the town.
The alarm was raised shortly after 2:00a.m today (Tuesday, March 26).
Gardaí said that the house was “extensively damaged” in the fire, which has since been extinguished by the local fire service.
The scene of the fire is currently preserved for a technical examination by staff from the Garda Technical Bureau.
The office of the local coroner has also been notified, and enquiries are ongoing, a garda statement said.
It is understood that Gardaí are engaging with the family of the deceased.
A spokesperson for Mayo County Council said that two units of Mayo Fire Service – Swinford and Charlestown fire brigade units – were mobilised to attend to the fire, which was reported at 2:09a.m.
The council confirmed that location of the house as Deerpark, Swinford which is just outside the town.
The first unit arrived at the scene at 2:17a.m, and observed that the building was already “well alight”.
Breathing apparatus teams were committed and brought the fire under control quickly, the council spokesperson said.
The county council confirmed that a couple died in the incident.
A third fire unit from Kiltimagh was also mobilised to assist the initial responding units.
Mayo County Councilor John Caulfield, of the Claremorris-Swinford municipal district, said there is “shocking sadness” in the area after the incident.
“In the town of Swinford, people are just shocked about it,” he said.
Cllr. Caulfield said the couple were well-known people within the community, and had lived there for many years, having operated a successful business there.