A CO Armagh man battled in vain to save his 94-year-old mother after a fire broke out in her home.
Sally Thompson died in the blaze at her house in the Bay View area of Jonesborough on Sunday.
The fire began in the kitchen of the semi-detached property at around 7.20pm.
It is believed a son of Mrs Thompson had been with his mother and had gone to get her dinner at the time. He had only been away from the house for around 20 minutes but returned to find the kitchen engulfed in flames.
The man is understood to have tried to save his mother and suffered smoke inhalation during his rescue attempt. Neighbours also rushed to the scene after hearing screams for help.
Police said an investigation into the cause of the fire had been launched, but it is not believed to be suspicious.
The Fire and Rescue said the blaze had been partially extinguished by neighbours by the time they arrived.
A spokeswoman said: "Unfortunately a 94-year-old lady died in the incident and a 50-year-old man was treated for smoke inhalation at the scene by firefighters.
"Two fire appliances from Newry Station and one from Warrenpoint Station attended the incident. The cause of this fire is under investigation."
Sinn Féin councillor Mickey Larkin said the victim was "very well-known and respected in the local area".
"She has lived here in Jonesborough for her entire life, with generations before her also," he said.
"She was well loved and well respected and a joy to talk to with plenty of stories to tell. It is traumatic for her family and the whole community, everyone is shocked and saddened. She was certainly well loved by everyone."
Ms Thompson is survived by her children Michael, Una, Brian, Rosin and Peter.
The pensioner's death comes just days after another fatal house fire in Co Down.
A man was found dead at a ground floor flat in Ardmillan Crescent in Newtownards at around 11am on Friday.
The Fire and Rescue Service said three appliances attended the scene and "firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the property and carried out a search".
"Tragically a man was confirmed dead at the scene.
"Firefighters dealt with a fire in a rear bedroom. The cause of the fire has been confirmed as accidental."
The spokeswoman added: "The thoughts and sympathies of NIFRS are with the family and friends of the two people who tragically lost their lives in house fires over the weekend".
