Arson probe in Cork city after man injured jumping from burning house

A young man sustained significant lower limb injuries after jumping from the first floor of a house on fire in a Cork city suburb in the early hours of Monday morning. 

Gardaí have confirmed that they are investigating the blaze at Silver Birch off the Rochestown Rd, which they were alerted to shortly after midnight, as "an incident of criminal damage by fire".

Three appliances from Cork City Fire Brigade were called to the scene following reports of a house fire, with  people possibly trapped within the premises. 

On arrival, it was discovered that the front of the house and the lower ground floor were on fire. 

One male had jumped from the first floor of the building and sustained lower limb injuries. 

He was treated on the scene by the fire brigade before the paramedics arrived. 

A garda spokesperson said a woman in her 40s and two male youths were taken to Cork University Hospital for assesment. 

All three people treated in hospital were occupants of the house, but two managed to escape the fire quickly, it is understood. 

"The scene is currently being preserved for technical examination," the spokesperson said. 

"Enquiries are ongoing."