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A couple died in a house fire that left their family and community devastated.
The tragedy shocked residents of Portmarnock, north Dublin, who described it as a “fire bomb” and “hell”.
The couple were locally named after Michael and Beatrice Hurley, 60.
Neighbors and relatives watched helplessly as flames engulfed their home, a two-story home on the Beach Park estate in the coastal city.
Emergency services rushed to the scene to put out the fire, but unfortunately found the bodies of the deceased inside.
Local James Smith told the Irish Mirror: “There were blue lights everywhere at 10.15pm.
“I live around the corner and I saw thick black smoke filling the sky.
“It looked like a firebomb, the whole house was hell. You see things like this on television, but you never think they will happen near you.
“It’s terribly sad, especially at this time of year. I don’t really know the couple, but I would know them to see.
“The fire was so bad that we didn’t really think there was anyone in the house.
“The whole house is gone, the greenhouse in the back is destroyed and everything. I’ve lived here since 1988 and I’ve never seen anything like it. “
Another local said: “It was as if someone had a flamethrower in the house, there were flames everywhere.
“It’s tragic, God loves them. It was a nice glow. “
The couple are believed to have four children, three daughters and a son, and are also survived by several grandchildren.
Neighbors also said that only the two of them lived on the property as their adult children had moved out.
Prayers were said for the couple at Sunday Masses. Canon John Flaherty awoke to the news and went to visit the scene five minutes from his own home.
An autopsy will be carried out on the bodies that will determine the course of the investigation by Gardai.
A spokeswoman said: “Gardai in Malahide is investigating all the circumstances surrounding the deaths of two people following a fatal house fire in Beach Park, Portmarnock, Co Dublin, last night. At approximately 10.30pm, the Gardai were alerted to a house fire in Beach Park, Portmarnock, Co Dublin.
“The Dublin Fire Brigade controlled the fire and two bodies were discovered inside the house. Death was pronounced in the place shortly after.
“Investigative gardai have preserved the scene while working to establish the cause of the fire.
“The bodies will be transferred to the Dublin City Morgue, Whitehall, where the state pathologist will conduct a post-mortem examination in due course.
“Gardai is asking witnesses to contact the incident room at Malahide Garda station. Anyone with information should contact the Malahide Garda station at 01-666 4600, the confidential Garda line 1800 666 111 or any Garda station. “
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