Man dies, three gardaí injured following Naas fire

A man died and three gardaí were injured following a fire in an apartment complex in Naas, Co Kildare in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Gardaí and emergency services responded to a call to attend a fire at the property in Oldtown Demesne at about 4.15am.

The building, made up of about 20 apartments, was evacuated, and the fire was brought under control.

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However, a man, understood to be in his 40s, was pronounced dead at the scene and three gardaí received medical attention following the incident.

It’s understood that the injured gardaí did not require hospitalisation.

The scene has been preserved for a technical examination. Inquiries are ongoing.

Social Democrats councillor Bill Clear, who lives close to the apartment building at Oldtown Desmesne, paid tribute to gardaí who, he said, went from door to door to evacuate residents of the block. He said the fatality was a “very tragic” incident.

Local Fine Gael councillor Fintan Brett described the incident as a “very tragic event”, where “a relatively young fellow lost his life”. He also praised the “brave and quick actions” of gardaí who responded to the scene.