Elderly woman escapes house fire in Co Limerick

An elderly woman was rescued by her neighbours overnight when her house went up in flames.

The woman escaped injury after the fire broke out at about 11pm on Sunday night at her home on High Street, Croom, Co Limerick.

Neighbours of the pensioner are believed to have heard a number of loud bangs before seeing flames coming from the woman’s home.

It is understood the woman was helped out of her home by neighbours who rushed to the burning bungalow.

Gardaí as well as five units of Limerick County Fire and Rescue Service from Rathkeale and Newcastle West responded to the scene.

Fire fighters fought the blaze and dampened the area for several hours.

Locals reported seeing flames as high as 30 feet coming from the woman’s home as the fire swept through the house.

The house was completely gutted.

The woman was met by an ambulance crew at the scene but did not require hospital treatment.

A Garda technical examination will take place at the house today, however gardaí do not suspect foul play.

The cause of the fire is unknown.

Locals reported seeing flames as high as 30 feet coming from the woman’s home