Fire crews attended the scene of a fatal fire in Tempo, Co Fermanagh on Wednesday

AN investigation is underway into the cause of a fire which claimed the life of a man in his 90s on Wednesday.

The fire broke out in a first floor flat on Main Street in Tempo, Co Fermanagh just before midday.

Two other people were rescued by fire crews who attended the scene in four tenders such was ferocity of the blaze.

The Fire and Rescue Service said: “Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the flat and sadly found a 90-year-old male fatality in the hallway of the flat.

“Fire crews dealt with a significant fire in the property.

“Both a man in his 60s, who tried to gain entry into the flat to help rescue the man, and a woman in the adjacent flat, were taken to hospital suffering from the effects of breathing in smoke.

“The cause of the fire is under investigation.”

Police closed Main Street in the village while the fire was brought under control.

It has since been re-opened but the footpath remains shut as forensic teams examine the scene.

Local Sinn Fein MLA Phil Flanagan described the fire fatality as “deeply tragic”.

He added: “My thoughts and sympathies are with the family and friends of the deceased victim, who was very well known in the local area.

“The whole community is shocked by this incident and it will take some time for people to come to terms with the news that a man has lost his life.”