Woman, 70s, dies in Cavan Town house fire

Gardaí are investigating a fatal house fire at Church Street, Cavan Town, today in which an elderly woman perished.

Gardai say the fire was reported by neighbours at 2.15pm today, November 30, and emergency services were contacted and went to the scene.

Fire services, an ambulance and gardai attended and closed off the road at Dunnes main entrance on Church Street. Around 100 onlookers gathered at the scene as firefighters smashed the stop storey windows of the house which is near the Crannog Bookshop and Paul Kelly Solicitors' offices.

A pall of thick smoke could be seen billowing from the top windows of the house as onlookers were told to get back by gardai such was the strength of the fumes.

Gardai have confirmed that the body of a woman in her 70s was discovered in the house. The woman's body has been taken to Cavan General Hospital where a post-mortem examination will be carried out. A technical examination of the scene will be carried out later.