Faulty heater suspected after one killed and three hurt in fire
A FAULTY heater is likely to have started the fire that claimed the life of a man in his 40s in Dublin early yesterday morning, investigators believe.
They are satisfied that the blaze was accidental and are examining whether a heater could have triggered the blaze at the rear of the house on Grove Park on the banks of the Grand Canal in Rathmines.
The fire broke out at around 7am while many of the residents were still asleep.
The building is split into a number of flats and investigators are trying to establish if the victim, a man in his 40s, was in the flat where the fire occurred or if he succumbed to the smoke while in a neighbouring flat.
A neighbour described the distressing scenes as emergency crews battled to save the victim’s life.
“I looked out the window and saw people running around, semi-dressed in dressing gowns and nightclothes and things.
“I could see black smoke billowing out the back of the building. At that point, the fire services had not arrived but then I heard the sirens. Within minutes, they were here and the ambulance was here too,” he said.
“About 20 minutes later, I saw this guy being hauled out into the hallway and the fire people doing CPR on him.”
Dublin Fire Brigade confirmed eight of their units, including three ambulances and a district officer, attended the blaze.
Gardaí were immediately on the scene to oversee and assist in the rescue and evacuation operation.
“Crews using breathing apparatus entered the building and four people in total were removed,” confirmed a spokesman for Dublin Fire Brigade.
“Sadly, one of the casualties died and another suffered extensive burn injuries to their hands and arms. The other two were less seriously injured.”
The injured were taken to St James’s Hospital and one victim was subsequently pronounced dead.