Man in his 80s dies in south Mayo house fire

A MAN in his 80s died in a house fire near Hollymount earlier today.

The victim, who was single and lived alone, was dead when taken by a fire crew from his two -storey home sometime after midnight.

A neighbour raised the alarm when he noticed flames shooting from the roof.

Fire units from Ballinrobe and Claremorris rushed to the scene.

The remains of the victim were discovered by a fire crew using breathing equipment.

The farmhouse was badly damaged before the fire was brought under control by firefighters who remained at the scene overnight, dampening down the building.