A five-year-old boy and his mother suffered severe burns following a fire at a social gathering in a housing estate in Killarney, Co Kerry, on Saturday night.
The incident occurred at Loreto Convent Estate shortly after 10pm when neighbours had gathered around a firepit in a garden. It is understood that several people had used insect repellent to ward off midges before an accelerant was added to the fire, causing flames to spread suddenly beyond the firepit.
The young boy is believed to have been sitting on a sun lounger closest to the fire when the blaze erupted. Family members and neighbours rushed to assist those injured and alerted emergency services.
A fundraising campaign established by the local community has raised more than €20,000 for the mother and son, who are reported to be receiving intensive care treatment for severe burns. The appeal states that both require specialist medical care and face a lengthy recovery.
Gardaí have launched an investigation into the incident and confirmed that a technical examination of the scene has been carried out. Six people, including adults and children, were taken to hospital for treatment. Investigators do not currently suspect foul play.
Speaking on RTÉ's News at One, Mayor of Killarney, Councillor Martin Grady, described the incident as "heartbreaking" and said it was a stark reminder of how devastating and unpredictable fire can be. He expressed sympathy for those injured and their families and praised the emergency services for their response, saying their actions helped prevent an even more serious outcome.
