Update:
11.55am – The body has been removed from the scene and taken to University Hospital Limerick where a postmortem examination will take place.
The fire service was called back to the scene after the fire reignited this morning.
Earlier: Gardaí are investigating the cause of a fatal house fire in West Clare last night.
The alarm was raised at around 10 o’clock when neighbours spotted a nearby cottage on fire.
The emergency services were alerted and responded to the scene at Tonavoher near Knockerra. Two units of the fire brigade and gardaí from Kilrush responded to the incident.
After bringing the fire under controller fire crews were able to gain access to the farmhouse where they located a body.
Formal identification of the victim has yet to take place while the body remains at the scene. It’s understood that the body is that of the elderly owner who lived alone.
Members of the divisional Crime Scene Investigation Unit are currently at the scene.