THE family home of Limerick fatal stab victim Shane Murphy was gutted in a fire on Monday night but initial investigations indicate that the fire was not started maliciously.
31-year-old Shane Murphy died after he received more than 20 stab wounds at a house party in Pallasgreen last year. Two men are currently in custody awaiting trial before the Central Criminal Court.
On Monday afternoon last, three units from Limerick City Fire and Rescue were alerted to a blaze which broke out at Shane’s home in Lee Estate.
The blaze took hold at sometime around 2pm and a mother of six was forced to flee the house. She was treated at the scene by Emergency Paramedics from the National Ambulance Service for minor smoke inhalation but her children were not at home when the fire took hold.
Initial investigations indicate that the blaze may have started at or near the fireplace.
The home was said to have been well alight when the alert went out.
Extensive flame and smoke damage was caused to the downstairs section of the home but the blaze was brought under control before spreading to adjoining properties.
The home, which had been occupied by Shane Murphy before his death, was now home to a sibling and her family.
Gardai are still investigating the incident but they are not treating it as suspicious.
Andrew Carey
