A family of three managed to escape the blaze that destroyed their home on Galway on Sunday.
The fire, which broke out shortly after 6am, also badly damaged two other houses.
The alarm was raised when the blaze was discovered at the family home in the Tirellan Heights estate, just off the Galway-Headford road, at about 6.15am.
Three units of Galway fire brigade were quickly at the scene as the fire threatened to spread to a number of adjoining houses.
The family of three managed to make their way to safety, while gardaí assisted in evacuating other residents from nearby homes as a precaution. Nobody was injured in the operation.
Fire brigade personnel fought the blaze for almost three hours before bringing it under control. One of the houses was destroyed after the roof fell in and the other two also suffered serious damage.
Firemen had to be recalled to the scene of the blaze as the fire showed signs of re-starting in mid-morning. It was quickly dampened down by the fire personnel.
Members of the family who lost their home had remained in the vicinity and were assisted by neighbours and friends. They were too upset to comment on their loss.
Garda forensic officers were yesterday examining the debris with assistance from senior fire brigade personnel in an effort to discover how the fire broke out.