Gardaí were last night awaiting postmortem results as they tried to establish the cause of a house fire that killed two people in Dublin on Tuesday night.
Suzanne Flanagan (29) and Tony Spain, who was in his mid-40s, died in a blaze at a house on Ellesmere Avenue, off the North Circular Road.
The fire was reported shortly after 10pm on Tuesday. A Dublin Fire Service spokesman said the emergency call was received at 10.03 p.m. and four tenders, two ambulances and an advance paramedic team responded.
Emergency services were able to remove Mr Spain to the Mater Hospital, but he was pronounced dead on arrival. Ms Flanagan's body was removed yesterday from her bedroom.
The cause of the fire was not known yesterday but gardaí said it is not being treated as suspicious.
Forensic officers began a technical examination at the house yesterday morning.
From the street outside yesterday there was little evidence that a fire had taken place at the house, which is divided into four apartments. It is thought that it broke out at the back of the building, where the couple were staying in a ground-floor extension.
Ms Flanagan and Mr Spain were both from Cabra and had been together for a number of years.
Ms Flanagan had one child, a 10-year-old son, who was staying with his father on the night of the fire.
Members of Ms Flanagan's family comforted each other outside the house yesterday morning as they waited for her body to be removed.
Still visibly in shock at the news, her aunt and cousin described Ms Flanagan as a loving mother who was completely devoted to her child.
"She was a good person and a good mother," her aunt said.
"She lived for her son," she added. "Her mother died six years ago and since then the family has been very close."
Her immediate family were informed of the tragic news at around 3am on Wednesday.
Tony Spain lived in the Sheriff Street area of Dublin's north inner city for many years with his former partner. He had five daughters and two sons, including two sets of twins, ranging in age from 10 to 25 years old. He served for a time in the army and was a passionate supporter of Chelsea football club.
Labour Cllr Aodhán Ó Ríordáin said Mr Spain was "an extremely good-humoured and gentle man", devoted to his family and liked by everyone in the Sheriff Street area.
Family and friends laid flowers by the door of the house yesterday, while locals looked on, discussing the heartbreaking event with neighbours.
"I heard a noise and looked out the window and saw the fire brigade. I've never seen so many in my life," said Frank O'Reilly, who lives in the area.