Husband and wife who died in Crossbarry fire are named locally

Tributes have been paid to an elderly couple who died in a house fire outside Innishannon on Tuesday morning.

The couple, who were in their 70s, have been named locally as Willie and Geraldine Hawkes.

It is understood that one of the victims raised the alarm with emergency services, shortly after 7am, before dying in the blaze.

The couple’s bodies were found at their home in Raheen, near Crossbarry, approximately 16km south west of Cork city, after emergency services attended the scene.

The detached rural house, located near the former Crosspound Bar, was gutted in the fire, and smoke could be seen rising from the ruins of the house well into the afternoon.

The couple’s remains were removed from the scene in a hearse around lunchtime yesterday.

Cork County Fire Service, gardaí and other emergency services spent hours the scene yesterday afternoon, working to extinguish the blaze.

Locals described the couple as "quiet, decent people" who had numerous relatives living in the area.

Leah O’Shea, Cork County senior assistant fire officer, said crews from Cork city and Bandon had been dispatched to the scene as soon as the alarm was raised yesterday.

“When they arrived at the scene the fire was well established,” she said.

“Sadly, one fatality was initially removed. Some time later, a second fatality was also discovered at the scene.” 

Autopsies will take place on both bodies at Cork city morgue. 

The findings of the examinations and the investigation into the cause of the fire will determine whether a garda file is required for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

A neighbour, who did not wish to be named, told The Echo he had spoken to the man only on Monday while walking his dog.

“It’s a terrible shock for everyone, they were very quiet, very decent people, God rest them,” he said.

John Paul O’Shea, Fine Gael TD for Cork North West, said it was “deeply upsetting news for the local community” and expressed his sympathies to all affected.

Independent Cork county councillor Alan Coleman said there was a great sense of shock in the parish.

“I have no doubt the community will rally around the family, but it is very numbing to have such a tragedy so local,” he said.

“It was a very difficult scene for the local emergency services when they came here, and they did their job gallantly.” 

Chief Superintendent Vincent O’Sullivan, of the Cork North West and North division, said: “This is a terrible tragedy for the community, and our thoughts and prayers are with the family.” 

He appealed to anyone with information on the tragedy to contact Macroom Garda Station on 026 20590.