Ireland

Fire claims lives of three Irish pensioners in Essex

Three Irish pensioners have died in an accidental house fire in Essex
Three Irish pensioners have died in an accidental house fire in Essex Three Irish pensioners have died in an accidental house fire in Essex

A HOUSE fire in England has claimed the lives of an elderly Irish couple and the man's brother.

Joe Whelan and his wife Anne, from Cobh, Co Cork, had flown to England to care for Mr Whelan's sick brother Jim at his home in Essex.

However, all three were killed in an accidental fire at the house on Laburnum Avenue in Hornchurch, which broke out at around 4am on Monday.

Mrs Whelan died at the scene. The two brothers, aged 76 and 74, were taken to hospital but died yesterday.

The brothers were originally from Dublin but Joe Whelan had lived in Co Cork with his wife for many years.

Jim Whelan, who is thought to have been in poor health for some time, had lived in England for decades.

Irish foreign affairs minister Charlie Flanagan extended his sympathies to the families and said his department was providing assistance to them.