Limerick community devastated as house fire claims life of local man while caring for his father

A COUNTY Limerick community have been left devastated by the tragic death of one of their respected residents who lost his life in a house fire along with his father.

The two men, named locally as John Lee, 50s, and his father Stephen Lee, 80s, died after a blaze broke out at a two-storey property in Littleton, near Thurles, at around 2.30am on Monday.

John Lee had settled down in Cromhill, outside Kilteely in County Limerick, with his wife Mary and his two children, who attend school in Hospital.

Former mayor of Limerick, Gerald Mitchell, who is also a former councillor, said he had been "good friends" with John, as they lived in a "close-knit" rural area and John had lived "only up the road" from Mr Mitchell.

John had been spending the night at his father's house in Littleton, near Thurles, on Sunday night to care for him, as he did regularly, Mr Mitchell explained, when the fire broke out at approximately 2:30am on Monday.

He described John as "a private, but a very respectable man".

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 "All my thoughts and prayers are with his family," Mr Mitchell said. "I'd like to extend my sincere and genuine deepest condolences to his family, his children, and to the extended family and relations, on behalf of the local community and the wider community," said Mr Mitchell, an auctioneer.

"It's a tragic time," he added.

 The family had settled in Cromhill over a decade ago, and Mr Mitchell said they were a "well-respected" family who "were well-liked and nice people". 

Mr Mitchell and other neighbours called to the family home in Limerick on Monday evening to offer condolences to the family.

"It was misfortunate the time of year it happened, and under such tragic circumstances," Mr Mitchell added.

"The local community here are close knit and his close neighbours are very saddened and upset with this untimely and sudden tragedy."

He said that the local community "will support (the family) as much as possible in their tragedy".

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined - the investigation by gardaí and emergency services is still underway - but it is believed the blaze started accidentally.