GARDAI have ruled out foul play in the tragic death of a man found dead after a house fire in Cork.
The body of Michael O’Sullivan, 62, was discovered in a flat on Togher Road in Cork city shortly before 7pm on Friday night.
Following the results of a post-mortem examination this morning, gardai were informed he had died from extensive burn injuries.
Tragic Michael was found in the kitchen of the flat – part of a three-storied complex near Cork’s beauty spot The Lough – and the scene was deemed suspicious by investigating officers.
He had suffered extensive injuries and DNA had to be taken from family members to formally identify him.
Firefighters had to use breathing apparatus to enter the smoke filled flat to locate the dead man, who lived alone.
The alarm was raised when neighbours spotted a woman screaming for help from the flat window.
A brave woman went to her assistance and helped her out of the three-storey building.
The woman who ran to offer assistance was then treated at the scene for smoke inhalation.
Mr O’Sullivan was pronounced dead at the scene and his body was removed on Saturday to the morgue in Cork University Hospital.
An autopsy on his remains was carried out this morning by State Pathologist Dr Yvonne McCartney.
Following the discovery, gardai said they were treating the death as suspicious with the flat preserved for a technical examination.
However, investigators have now said they are satisfied there was nothing suspicious about the local man’s death which they are now treating as a tragic accident.
The examination revealed that there was nothing sinister in his passing.
A file on the case will now be sent to the Cork city coroner and an inquest will be held in due course.
