A FATHER AND son suffered serious burns at their home following a house fire in Clare this evening.

The two men, named locally as Joe Quinn, aged 89, and his son Seamus Quinn, aged in his 40s, were airlifted in two helicopters to Cork University Hospital (CUH), from their home in Meelick, south east Clare.

Gardai are investigating the shocking incident, but sources said they believed the incident was a “tragic accident”.

Joe Quinn accidentally fell into a fire he was lighting inside the house at the time, reliable sources said.

Quinn suffered “extensive burns” to his body and was in a critical condition in hospital.

His son Seamus also suffered burns having gone to his father’s aid.

His condition, whilst serious, was not thought to be life-threatening.

Neighbours expressed “shock” as news of the tragedy filtered through the small rural community.

Locals described Joe Quinn and his family as “quiet people” and “good neighbours”.

Mr Quinn, a former CIE worker, lost a son, aged in his 20s, in a motorcycle accident several years ago, neighbours said.

The Quinn’s modest cottage style bungalow, in which Quinn and his wife Alice reside in with their son Seamus, was not damaged in last night’s incident.

The couple have three other children, neighbours said.

Several family members who rushed to the house later sat outside the property in deep shock.

Gardai are maintained a presence at the house land a garda forensic officer also attended the property as part of normal investigative procedures.

Four units of Limerick City and County Fire and Rescue Service responded to a 999 call about a “house fire” at 5.44pm.

When firefighters got to the scene they found Joe Quinn in a serious condition with extensive burn injuries.

Firefighters, gardai, and paramedics assisted crews from Air Corps ambulance and the Shannon-based Rescue Helicopter 115 bring the two casualties on board the two helicopters.