Gardaí investigating the deaths of two men last week in a fire at an apartment in Mallow, north Cork, yesterday arrested a woman on suspicion of committing arson.
The woman in her 20s was arrested in Cork city at 2.30pm yesterday by gardaí investigating the deaths of John Palmer, (37) and Greg Lonergan (36) in the early hours of last Thursday. The two men perished when a fire broke out at their second-floor apartment in the Granary Court complex on St Joseph's Road, Mallow, shortly after midnight.
Rescued
Two others in the apartment, were rescued by gardaí when they broke the door into the apartment.
Both were taken to Cork University Hospital where they were treated for smoke inhalation.
One was discharged yesterday, and doctors continue to treat the other
Gardaí initially thought the fire may have started accidentally but suspicions were raised when a Garda technical expert carried out a forensic examination of the badly damaged flat.
It is understood gardaí found there were three apparent separate seats or starting points for the fire in three different rooms, leading them to believe the fire may have been started deliberately.
Gardaí are still awaiting the results of tests carried out on samples taken from the three separate seats to establish whether an accelerant was used.
Meanwhile the woman arrested yesterday on suspicion of arson was last night being questioned by detectives at Mallow Garda station about the fire.
The woman is being detained under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act which allows gardaí to hold suspects for up to 24 hours.