A SMALL Co Donegal community was in “deep shock” yesterday following the deaths of a local couple in a house fire.
The bodies of Marie Galvin (57) and Declan Scully (62) were discovered by members of the fire service who went to the blaze at Cavan Lower, near Killygordon, about four miles from Ballybofey.
The fire broke out in the detached bungalow, which is among a small cluster of houses off the main Sligo to Derry road, at about 10pm on Thursday.
A neighbour notified the emergency services of the incident, fearing the residents could still be inside.
Gardaí in Co Donegal have launched an investigation into the cause of the blaze, which the local fire service said did not appear to have started in suspicious circumstances.
Ambulances, gardaí and several units of the fire brigade went to the scene.
Crews from Stranorlar, Letterkenny and the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service in Strabane helped to extinguish the blaze.
A team of forensic investigators examined the property.
Bob McMenamin, chief fire officer in Donegal, said the fire was well established and that part of the roof of the house had collapsed when the fire brigade arrived.
“The firemen broke down the front door to gain entry and they found one male occupant of the house inside the door,” he said.
“That occupant was removed and they continued to deal with the fire. . . At a later time they found a female occupant in the kitchen area.”
Mr McMenamin said the bungalow was almost completely destroyed and that the incident appeared to be an unfortunate tragedy. “The gardaí are investigating the location of the fire and a possible cause, but at the moment there are no suspicious circumstances,” he said.
“People should be aware of the dangers of fire, plan a means of escape and check smoke detectors are working.”
Ms Gavin was a native of Killygordon and she and Mr Scully had been living together in her family home for some time.
She previously worked in a factory in Donegal town before returning home to care for her mother, who died last year.
Mr Scully, who previously lived in Ballybofey, was employed by League of Ireland football club Finn Harps in recent times.
Patrick McGowan, a local Fianna Fáil councillor, said the incident had taken the close-knit local community by surprise. “Everybody in the area is in deep shock and can’t get over this unfortunate tragedy,” he said. “They were well known and respected by everyone in the area.”
The incident was the second fatal house fire this week. On Monday morning, three brothers died in Drogheda, Co Louth, when their home burned down. James (8), Tony (16) and Martin (21) McDonagh died after a fire consumed their home on the Moneymore estate.
Their brother Eddie (13) remains in a serious condition in Crumlin children’s hospital. However, their mother Kathleen was released from hospital on Thursday.
