Man (55) dies in Westmeath house fire

A man has died and an elderly woman has been brought to hospital following a house fire in Co Westmeath this morning.

Gardaí attended the scene of the blaze at Jordanstown, Ballynacargy at about 3.30 am .

A Garda spokesman said there were two occupants in the house and a 55 year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene.

An 82 year-old woman was taken to the Midland Regional Hospital at Mullingar with what are described as non-life threatening injuries.

The scene has been preserved while gardaí from Mullingar carry out an examination. It is understood the man’s body remains at the scene.