Two sisters who died in a house fire last night in Oldcastle, Co Meath, have been named as Michelle Fitzsimons (5) and Anne Marie (8).
The alarm was raised around midnight. Winesses said efforts were made by the chidrens' parents and neighbours to rescue the girls but they were beaten back by flames.
The parents and their four other children have been taken to Cavan General Hospital suffering from shock and smoke inhalation.
A Garda spokesman said the cause of the fire is not yet known. The house is being sealed off for technical examination.