Community left ‘in shock’ after retail duo lose lives at property
TRIBUTES have been paid to a wellknown couple who died in a horrific house fire.
Furniture shop owners Thomas and Eileen Mahon were found dead in their bedroom in Swinford, Co Mayo.
The blaze erupted at the property at Deerpark on the Kilkelly Road at around 2am yesterday.
Neighbours rang 999 when they saw the flames surrounding the upper part of the couple’s home, but they were discovered deceased inside.
Pictures have emerged of the aftermath of the fire, which completely destroyed the roof and upper part of the house.
Thomas, 63, and his 61-year-old wife were well-known in the area and ran Mahon’s Furniture and Flooring in the town for around 20 years. The couple
Property in Swinford, Co Mayo have two daughters, neither of whom were in the house when the fire occurred.
It is suspected Thomas and Eileen died from smoke inhalation while in their bedroom before the fire took hold.
The cause of the blaze is not believed to be suspicious in nature.
Neighbour Terry Maughan said: “The whole community is in shock over the tragic loss of Tom and Eileen.
“They were well known to everyone in the community and they were very good friends to us and our family.
“They owned their own furniture shop and a carpentry business in the centre of town. They will be sadly missed by everybody.
“Our condolences especially to their family.”
Terry, who said he could see the blaze, said emergency services were quick to arrive at the scene, but there was nothing they could do for the couple.
Mr Maughan added: “I could see the fire from my own bedroom.
“The whole roof of the house was burnt.
“The fire happened around two o’clock and then the ambulance and fire brigade came on to the scene. They were very good neighbours. We have known them over the years.”
Councillor John Caulfield also spoke to us about the devastation within the community over the couple’s tragic loss.
He said: “The community there is just in shock.
“Somebody noticed the house was on fire and called the emergency services.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with their family at this time.”
Gardai confirmed they attended the scene of the fatal fire and said inquiries into the incident are continuing.
The scene remained preserved for a technical examination by the Garda Technical Bureau yesterday.
The office of the local coroner has been notified.
They owned their own furniture shop & carpentry business in the centre of town TERRY MAUGHAN NEIGHBOUR PAYS TRIBUTE TO BUSINESS PAIR