Two people have died in a house fire in Cork city.

Emergency services were called to the fire on the Lower Glanmire Road in Mayfield at around 11:15pm last night.

After fire services brought the blaze under control, the bodies of a man in his 80s and a woman in her 70s were found inside the house.

'Their loss will be deeply felt by everyone in the area." Former Cork Lord Mayor Joe Kavanagh, on the tragic fire in Cork, which claimed the lives of two people. pic.twitter.com/TMrkgf37MD

— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) April 5, 2024

Former Cork Lord Mayor Joe Kavanagh lives very close to scene.

“These two people were two lovely people who had lived here all their lives,” he said. “They raised their families here.

“Yesterday was a very important day for them; they were celebrating the birth of a grandchild. They had got the news and they were absolutely delighted.

“For this to end the way it has ended is nothing short of tragic.

“Joy turned to tragedy.”

Fire at a premises on Lower Glanmire Road. Emergency services are on scene. Avoid the area if at all possible this evening. pic.twitter.com/en1UduFUzo

— Cork Safety Alerts (@CorkSafetyAlert) April 4, 2024

The house was gutted in the fire and efforts to make it safe for investigators to enter are ongoing this morning.

Both bodies have been removed to the mortuary at Cork University Hospital for post-mortem examinations.

Gardaí said the results of the post-mortems and technical examination of the scene will guide their investigation.

Fire services on the Lower Glanmire Road in Mayfield, Cork after last night’s fire, 05-04-2024. Image: Jamie O’Hara/Newstalk

The house on the Lower Glanmire Road in Mayfield, Cork after last night’s fire, 05-04-2024. Image: Jamie O’Hara/Newstalk

Meanwhile, drivers are being asked to avoid the Lower Glanmire Road.

Traffic restrictions are in place on the road, with traffic reduced to one lane.

Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to come forward.

Reporting from Jamie O'Hara on the Lower Glanmire Road in Cork.