A FAULTY electric blanket or fumes from a heater is suspected of causing the deaths of a Co Mayo couple who were found dead on Monday in their home at Barnatra, near Belmullet.
Postmortems yesterday showed that Stephen and Josie Carey, both in their late 50s, died as a result of smoke inhalation.
Their single storey cottage, which was built by the local authority, was relatively undamaged by the fire outbreak which is believed to have occurred in the early hours of Monday morning.
Garda forensic experts continued their examination of the house yesterday as postmortems were concluded at Mayo General Hospital in Castlebar.
Initial investigations suggest that the source of the smoke was the bedroom area and that the smoke spread quickly through the house which was well insulated. Neither body was in the bedroom when found. Funeral arrangements were not available yesterday evening but it is understood the couple will be buried in the UK where they spent a lot of time and have strong family connections.
The Careys are both natives of north Mayo and moved back there from Britain some years ago.
The popular couple were described by their local priest, Fr Francis Judge, on Monday as “jolly and loveable”.