Neighbours tried to save man who died in Cork city house fire

Neighbours tried to intervene in a housefire that took the life of a man, named locally as Peter Lyall, on the northside of Cork city in the early hours of Monday morning.

Mr Lyall, who was 62, was pronounced dead at the scene after firefighters found him unresponsive in a burning two-storey terraced house in Ardcullen in Hollyhill.

A woman was taken to Cork University Hospital, with injuries which are understood not to be life-threatening.

Mr Lyall, a master brewer who worked for more than two decades in the Franciscan Well brewery, was described as a kind man, who was well-liked in the close-knit northside community.

The alarm was raised shortly before 1am and three units of Cork City Fire Brigade arrived on the scene within five minutes.

Before firefighters arrived, neighbours attempted unsuccessfully to get into the building, according to several witnesses.

Victor Shine, Cork City Fire Brigade second officer, told The Echo the fire was well established when firefighters arrived at the scene, with flames and thick smoke coming from the building.

“A woman was outside being helped by neighbours. They had tried to get into the building but were beaten back,” he said.

“We were alerted that there was a man still in the building, so fire crews wearing breathing apparatus entered and found the man on the first floor.

“He was recovered from the building and resuscitation attempts were made, but he was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later.” Two dogs perished as a result of smoke inhalation, Mr Shine confirmed.

A garda spokesperson said a technical examination would be conducted in due course.

“A post-mortem examination is to be arranged for the deceased,” they said.

Tony Fitzgerald, former lord mayor of Cork and local Fianna Fáil councillor, said the community was in a state of sadness at news of Mr Lyall’s death.

“Ardcullen is a very close neighbourhood of people who look after each other, and we’re all very sad at this tragic occurrence,” 

he said.

Former Sinn Fein councillor Mick Nugent, who lives in Ardcullen, said the news was devastating.

“Peter was a nice, quiet, man who was very well regarded in the community, and he will be sadly missed in the community,” Mr Nugent said.

“There’s been a number of heartbreaking tragedies in the area in recent months, and this latest death is shocking really.”