Two Co Donegal pensioners have died in separate overnight house fires.
Mr Joe Dorrian (83), of Dunkineely, died when his isolated thatched cottage caught fire late on Wednesday night. It took fire officers more than four hours to recover his body from the house.
In north Donegal, Mr James Smith (87) died when his house at Ballymaghary, near Moville, was burned down about 2 a.m. yesterday.
Emergency services were at the scene of both fires within minutes, but were unable to save the pensioners.
It is believed that both fires were accidental. A senior fire officer confirmed last night that neither house had a smoke alarm.
