Girl (5) killed in house blaze as mum gives birth

The daughter of Theresa Kane lost her life during the early morning blaze at a house in Boyle, Co Roscommon.

Richard Connolly, who is believed to be the child's stepfather, escaped with two children, aged three and four.

Mr Connolly is currently in a serious condition at Sligo General Hospital where the children are also being treated.

It is understood that Ms Kane is also in Sligo Hospital recovering after she gave birth to twins over the weekend.

Gardai are currently investigating the tragedy which took place in the early hours of this morning.

The family has been named locally as Connolly and a witness told the Herald that the whole community was "in shock over the loss of the child".

Her partner, who is in his 40s, managed to escape the house fire with two of his children aged three and four. They were taken to Sligo General Hospital.

The man is understood to have suffered serious injuries as he jumped from the top window of the family home.

The fire was discovered between 2.30am and 3am on Termon Road.

The area has since been sealed off for garda crime scene examiners to determine the causes of the incident.

"There has been a massive tragedy and a five-year-old child has passed away in a fire," said a local, who did not wish to be identified.

"At the moment we are not sure what happened.

"Everyone is very naked in their emotions, the whole community is in shock over the loss of the child.

"They're a very young family. The area is cornered off at the moment, the family are no longer around as they were taken to a hospital.

"It's very raw at the moment, the shock is still very apparent."