Latest: Tragic deaths not the first time O'Brien family devastated by fire
According to media reports this evening this is the second time the family has been affected by a fire tragedy.
- AnneMarie O'Brien, who was seven months pregnant, and three children have died in a tragic fire
- One other woman remains in critical condition
- The deceased children, a boy and two girls, were aged four, three and two
- The tragedy occurred at a Supported Housing complex in Clondalkin
According to media reports this evening this is the second time the family has been affected by a fire tragedy.
A cousin of the family spoke to the Independent.ie and revealed that AnneMarie's brother had died in a fire in 2011.
“A brother of hers named Andy died in a container fire in Bray some years ago,” her cousin said.
“When Andy died a few years ago it was so hard on all of us and I can’t even describe how bad [last night’s] tragedy has made us feel.”
Reports show that Andrew O'Brien died in the blaze on the grounds of Bray's Christ Church.
A fourth death has been confirmed after the fire in Dublin that occurred last night.
The four-year-old boy, thought to be the brother of one of the girls who died earlier, has passed away in hospital.
More as we get it.
The 27-year-old woman killed in an overnight fire in Dublin has been named locally as AnneMarie O'Brien, who was seven months pregnant.
Her daughter Paris, who was two, and three-year-old Holly O'Brien, were also killed.
Holly O'Brien is understood to be the daughter of another woman left critically ill after the blaze. That woman, and a four-year-old boy who is also critically ill, are being cared for at Our Lady's Hospital in Crumlin.
The Sonas domestic violence charity today expressed its devastation at the loss of life after last night's fire at its Clondalkin Supported Housing complex.
A 27-year-old woman and two girls, aged two and three respectively, died in the fire. Another woman in her 30s, and a four-year-old boy, are said to be in a critical condition in Our Lady's Hospital in Crumlin.
Sonas CEO Fiona Ryan said: “Our sympathies and condolences are with the relatives and friends of the deceased and all those impacted by this awful tragedy. We are devastated by the tragic loss of life which occurred as a result of fire in an apartment in our supported housing complex in Clondalkin.
“Sonas is working with the relevant authorities on their inquiries. We are awaiting further details from An Garda Siochána. We are currently supporting other families in the apartment complex including those unable to return to their homes because of fire damage for whom we are sourcing alternative accommodation.
“We would ask that the privacy of all families residing in this complex be respected at this time of loss.”
The Cluainin Cronan complex is used by Sonas to house women who have sought refuge from domestic violence and move on to supported accommodation for up to two years.
There are four apartments in the block where the fire broke out and the charity uses another six apartments in the secure complex, with up to 40 women and children living there.
It is understood that another seven residents were evacuated from the block where the fire started.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Children's Minister Katherine Zappone both offered sympathies to the relatives and friends of those who died.
Locals are said to be numb with shock following the death of a woman and two young girls at an apartment complex in Clondalkin, Dublin.
The apartment complex is used by the Saoirse Women's Refuge to provide short term accommodation for women and children.
Another woman in her 30s, and a four-year-old boy, are said to be in a critical condition in Our Lady's Hospital in Crumlin.
Eoin O Broin, Sinn Fein TD in Dublin Mid-West and an elected representative in the Clondalkin area for many years, said: "It is terrible, heartbreaking news. And when young children are involved it strikes such a chord."
Inspector Ken McLaughlin, based at Clondalkin Garda station, said examinations were continuing to establish the cause of the fire.
"I'd like to express our sincere sympathies for the families of those that are involved in this incident. It's a terrible tragedy," he said.
Inspector Ken McLaughlin says an investigation's underway after a woman and two small children died in a fire in Clondalkin overnight pic.twitter.com/s6z1FroFEy
— FM104 (@FM104) March 8, 2017
Children's Minister Katherine Zappone said her thoughts and prayers were with all those affected by the Clondalkin fire.
A spokesman for Dublin Fire Brigade said a number of 999 calls were made about the blaze, with the first alert coming in at 2.33am.
It is understood the first crews were on the scene within five minutes.
"We got numerous calls in about it which would indicate that the fire was noticeable. The fire alarm in the apartment had also gone off," a spokesman said.
Three other apartments in the building were not affected by the fire.
A 27-year-old woman and two young girls have died after last night’s fire at an apartment complex in Clondalkin in West Dublin.
The children were aged two and three.
Another woman, aged in her 30s, was taken to St James Hospital and a four-year-old boy was taken to Our Lady’s Hospital in Crumlin. Their conditions have been described as critical.
Woman (27) and two children age 2 and 3dead, another woman (30's) and child (4) critical after Clondalkin house fire. @Independent_ie pic.twitter.com/tzauPye4m4
— Conor Feehan (@conor_feehan) March 8, 2017
Seven residents of nearby apartments have been evacuated.
The scene is sealed off and a technical examination of the area will take place later today.
Gardaí are appealing to witnesses to contact them at Clondalkin Garda Station on 01-666 7600, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.
A number of people are understood to be recovering in hospital after an overnight fire in Dublin.
The alarm was raised at 2.30am this morning at an apartment complex on Kilcronan Avenue in Clondalkin.
four units from Tallaght & Dolphins barn dealing with a serious fire in clondalkin
— Dublin Fire Brigade (@DubFireBrigade) March 8, 2017
Emergency services attended the scene, including gardaí and several units from Dublin Fire Brigade.
Residents were evacuated from their homes during the incident.
A number of casualties with smoke inhalation are being removed to hospital from the domestic fire in Dominic St.
— Dublin Fire Brigade (@DubFireBrigade) March 8, 2017
The fire has now been extinguished and an investigation into its cause is continuing.
