Carer (53) dies and woman (90) fighting for her life after house fire

The man was named locally as Christy Kelly (53), who originally came from nearby Chicken Lane.

He was described by locals as a live-in carer for Mary O'Brien (90) on Sigurd Road, off Manor Street, who was in a critical condition last night.

The alarm was raised just before 6.30pm when a relative of Mary's drove to the house from Newbridge after the elderly woman activated her Medi Alert alarm.

Sources said she didn't realise how serious the situation was until she got to the house and saw smoke damage.

Five units of Dublin Fire Brigade responded to her alert and took the two occupants of the house outside where paramedics fought to save them.

Mr Kelly was then taken to the Mater Hospital but was pronounced dead.

A Dublin Fire Brigade spokesperson said Ms O'Brien was revived at the scene and rushed to James Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown where she is in a critical condition and fighting for her life.

Units from Phibsboro fire station responded to a call shortly before 6.30pm.

Locals said Christy cared for Mary and often would be seen taking her to the shops.

"She has been living here since she was a child, it's an awful tragedy," said local shopkeeper Maureen McGuinness.

Neighbours said Mr Kelly had grown up on a street known locally as Chicken Lane - or Arbour Place.

His parents had died and the house was sold for development, and Christy was believed to have been Mary's carer, living in her home for many years.

An examination will take place today to discover the cause of the fire, but it is not thought to have been suspicious in nature.