Gardaí are investigating the significance of a number of explosions which took place as fire officers attempted to save a disabled man from a burning house in Bray, Co Wicklow.
Neighbours claimed the terraced house in Oldcourt Avenue had been firebombed at about 4.30am. Shortly afterwards the 65-year-old wheelchair-bound man could be seen trying to break an upstairs window.
The man lived in the house with one of his sons, who was his full-time carer.
Neighbours said the blaze was most intense around the front door while black smoke could be seen billowing around inside the house.
Fire officers who gained access to the house were understood to be carrying the man down the stairs when witnesses said an explosion blew out a number of windows.
As the fire struggled on, witnesses said a second explosion could be heard causing further damage.
The man’s son, said to be aged in his early 20s and his father’s carer, was rescued from the blaze. The younger man is understood to be partially deaf.
Gardaí said they are treating the fire as suspicious.
A Garda spokesman said the older man was taken from the house and treated at the scene but was pronounced dead a short time later. His body was removed to St Colmcille’s hospital Loughlinstown for a postmortem.
As neighbours gathered in groups near the house this morning, there was a heavy smell of smoke in the air.
One young woman standing with friends on the opposite side of the street from the Garda cordon said the deceased man was her father. A nearby young man also said he was the son of the deceased. Both declined to comment further.
Neighbours said the dead man was a separated from his wife and had four or possibly five children, including two daughters.
Gardaí in Bray are appealing for witnesses or anyone who may have seen any suspicious behaviour in the vicinity of Oldcourt Avenue, Bray before 4.30am today to contact them on 01 6665300, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.
Meanwhile, two adults and two young children were rescued from a house fire in Holywell in Swords, north Co Dublin. None were were seriously injured.
Gardaí said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the fire.
