A man who jumped from a fourth floor apartment blaze died after impaling himself on railings, gardaí said today.
The victim, thought to be in his 30s, was trying to flee a fire in an apartment complex in Limerick.
Firefighters were called to the city centre flats at Upper Cecil Street yesterday at about 9pm.
A woman who was also poised to jump, in an attempt to escape the heat and smoke, had to be coaxed into staying on a window ledge before she was rescued.
She was taken to hospital suffering from slight burns and smoke inhalation after being taken down a ladder by firefighters.
It is understood one other man safely landed in steps after leaping from the blaze.
The three people were trapped inside the apartments after flames cut off the stairwell.
Another two residents, thought to be on lower floors, had managed to flee by the time emergency services arrived.
About 24 firefighters, including back-up crews from Shannon, took two hours to bring the blaze under control.
Extensive fire and smoke damage was caused to the building.
Garda forensic investigators are examining the scene as part of their inquiries into the cause of the outbreak.
PA