Victims of fire had just become grandparents
Couple found ‘close together’ in house
AN elderly couple who died in a house fire had become first-time grandparents just hours before the tragedy.
Named locally as Gay and John O’Donnell, the well liked couple were found ‘close together’ in the property on the Lower Glanmire Road, Mayfield, Cork city.
Aged in their eighties and seventies, the couple died after a blaze broke out in their home just after 11pm on Thursday.
Their son Mark, who lives in Doha, Qatar, had just celebrated the birth of his daughter with his wife Grace.
Fine Gael councillor Joe Kavanagh, who lives on the Lower Glanmire Road, said the couple heard the joyous news of the birth of their granddaughter on Thursday. He said: ‘Residents were saying to me they were sitting down and having a cup of tea [with the couple] last night: a cup of tea and a cake celebrating the birth of their first grandchild – a little girl.
‘It happened so quickly. It is a tight-knit community here and they are all rocked by it. They can’t even talk.
‘The couple have lived here all their lives. Their son is grown up in his forties. He is a long-haul flight captain and pilot and flies for Qatar Airlines. He is getting a flight home out of Doha as we speak. They [had 12 hours] as grandparents and 12 hours later they were dead. All this in the space of 12 hours.’
Cllr Kavanagh said the couple were well thought of on the Lower Glanmire Road.
‘It is a very united place. There is a great sense of community here,’ he added.
Neighbours’ homes were evacuated for several hours after the blaze broke out.
Units of Cork City Fire Brigade attended at the scene just minutes after the alarm was raised.
Victor Shine, second officer with Cork City Fire Brigade, told the Opinion Line on Cork’s 96FM they received calls about the blaze at 11.15pm. He said: ‘The crews responded and were there very quickly. But at that stage flames were coming out through the windows at the front of the building and through the roof as well. It (the fire) was substantially established inside the building at that stage.
‘It was basically getting the fire under control, protecting properties on both sides and again rescuing anybody that may be inside the building.
‘It was extremely hazardous [going in] but we were conscious that there was potential of people being in the building.
‘An intensive search was carried out and the two casualties were located close together.
‘It was after one o’clock this morning the casualties were identified in the building. Our sympathies go out to the family.’ Mr Shine said it was a challenging situation for members of the fire brigade.
He is encouraging members of the public to be conscious of fire safety in the wake of the tragedy. ‘Whether it is a commercial building or a domestic building, alarm systems are hugely important for early detection,’ he said. ‘Be cognisant of safety. If you are using open fires or various types of heating systems or candles, [make sure] that they are protected and in safe locations and so on.’
Local councillor Ken O’Flynn said that he was ‘deeply saddened’ to hear about the death of the pensioners.
Cllr O’Flynn said: ‘My heart goes out to all those affected by this devastating incident. Please accept my deepest sympathies during this difficult time.
‘My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Lower Glanmire Road as they navigate through this challenging period. May those impacted find strength and comfort in the midst of this tragedy, and may they feel the support and compassion of their community.’
The Lower Glanmire Road Residents Association described the deaths of the ‘lovely’ couple as ‘devastating news’.
It offered condolences to the couple’s only son, his wife, their baby daughter, extended family and friends.
The Cork City Coroner has been informed, and the results of the post-mortems, along with a technical examination of the scene, will guide the ongoing Garda investigation.
Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to come forward. Anyone with information is asked to contact Mayfield Garda Station on (021) 4558510, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
‘They lived here all their lives’ ‘Be cognisant of safety’