Gardaí investigate fatal fire in Wexford

A Garda investigation into a Co Wexford fire which killed two people continued over the weekend but it is not believed to be …

A Garda investigation into a Co Wexford fire which killed two people continued over the weekend but it is not believed to be suspicious.

Alice Connors (44) and her daughter Mary (8) died in their terraced home at Woodview Drive, Enniscorthy, early on Saturday morning.

At about 2am gardaí were called to the scene by a neighbour who had tried to rescue the victims. It is understood that the fire began in an upstairs bedroom.

Ms Connor's husband, Tom, was returning home at the time and suffered smoke inhalation as he tried to get into the house.

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His son Eddie (17) was also in the house but managed to break an upstairs window and escape. He was taken to Wexford General Hospital suffering from back burns and other injuries.

Two other sons, Jim (21) and Johnny (11) were not in the house at the time.

Two sections of New Ross fire service were on the scene within 10 minutes, while ambulances from Wexford General Hospital also arrived at the home within a short time. However, the house was gutted in the blaze.

Neighbour Caroline Dillon said she woke when her smoke alarm went off.

"It was close to 2am when I was just falling off to sleep. I saw a gush of light go past the bedroom window, while almost immediately the fire alarm in my house went off.

"I immediately awakened my partner, looked out and saw the adjoining house on fire. It was a frightening experience."

She said at one point it looked as though all four terraced houses would be destroyed.

"There was nothing anyone could do to rescue the occupants such was the ferocity of the flames and the smoke," said Ms Dillon.

Local parish priest Fr Robert Nolan said the incident had shocked the whole parish. Mary Connors was due to make her First Holy Communion in May.

"We are all affected by this enormous grief and tragedy," said Fr Nolan. "The scale of it has shocked and numbed each and every one of us."