THE OCCUPANTS of a house in west Cork had a lucky escape when a fire broke out in the building yesterday - for the second time in two days.
Gardaí say they are satisfied the fires were not started maliciously following a forensic examination of the scene at the house in Union Hall.
The first fire broke out in the kitchen of the house at 3.30am on Wednesday and a unit of Skibbereen fire service attended at the scene. There was minor damage caused, but fortunately the family living in the house decided to move out due to the smoke damage.
The house was almost totally gutted during the second fire which broke out at about 4.50am. The fire services were called back to the scene where they struggled to bring the fire under control for over four hours.
Supt Pat Maher of Clonakilty Garda station said the cause of the fires was believed to be an electrical fault.
"We preserved the scene after the second fire and carried out a forensic examination there yesterday. We are satisfied that there was nothing malicious in it."
Supt Maher said it was very fortunate that the family was not present in the house during the second and far more serious blaze.
Meanwhile Gardaí have also confirmed that a fire in a house in Kilbrittain, west Cork, on Wednesday was accidental.
A mother and child had to be treated for smoke inhalation as a result of this incident.
