THE man who died in the house fire in Moyvane last night has been named locally as Jimmy Fitzgerald.

Mr Fitzgerald, who was in his 70s and lived alone in the house in the Woodgrove Estate, has been described as a lovely quiet man by a local county councillor.

“He was living alone. He was a lovely quiet man, very well liked in the area so people are very shocked,” Cllr Pat Leahy told Radio Kerry this morning.

Fire brigade units from Listowel and Ballybunion were dispatched to the estate after the alarm was raised after 11pm last night.

It took around four hours to bring the blaze under control. Early indications are that the fire was not suspicious, but the scene has been been preserved for forensic examination and an investigation is taking place. Damage was also caused to adjoining houses.

Mr Fitzgerald’s body was removed to Kerry University Hospital where a post mortem will take place.