Gardai are investigating the discovery of a woman's body following a devastating house fire in Limerick tonight. The woman, believed to be aged in her 60s, was found inside the property at Chester Downes, Singland, in the Castletroy area.

Emergency services attended the scene where the home had been completely destroyed by the blaze. Gardai have cordoned off the property, and it is understood that foul play is not suspected. Firefighters from Limerick City and County Fire and Rescue Service were alerted by a member of the public at 5.22pm and arrived at the scene within four minutes.

Four units from the service's city station responded and extinguished the blaze, with the final unit returning to its Mulgrave Street base on Mulgrave Street at 7.15pm.

During the response, firefighters discovered the woman's body at the scene. Speaking in tribute friends of the woman called her a "hard working mother".

"She worked hard all her life, it's a terrible tragedy, may she rest in peace," said a family friend.

A Garda statement said: "Gardai are investigating a fatal house fire that occurred on Saturday evening, 17th January 2026 in Singland, Limerick city.

"Emergency services were alerted to the fire at a residence in Chesterfield Downs at approximately 5.30pm. A female, aged in her 60s, has been pronounced deceased at the scene. No other injuries were reported.

"Her body remains at the scene, which is currently preserved for technical examination. The outcome of a post-mortem examination will determine the course of the Garda investigation."