An elderly couple have died in a house fire on the outskirts of Tipperary town.
The fire broke out last night at a bungalow at Scalaheen around 2km from the town.
Sean and Siobhan Kavanagh were in their late 70s and early 80s and well known in the area.
A neighbour alerted the emergency services just before 8.30pm last night when smoke was seen rising from the bungalow.
Firefighters rushed to the house but it appears the couple had been overcome by smoke.
Gardaí do not believe that the cause of the fire is suspicious, but they have preserved the scene for a technical examination.
Reports from neighbours of at least one loud bang being heard at the time will also be investigated.
Initial indications are that the fire may have started in the kitchen.
The bodies were taken to Waterford Regional Hospital for post mortem examinations tomorrow.
The couple had lived at Scalaheen for most of their lives and have seven grown-up children. A family gathering had been planned for Christmas.
