FIRST LOOK: Father and son tragically killed in Tipperary house fire just days before Christmas

Stephen and John Lee tragically lost their lives in a house fire in Littleton on Monday morning December 16 in a Christmas tragedy that has rocked the local community.

The father and son, aged 84 and 56, were found dead at the scene by local responders after an alert was raised locally when the fire started at around 2:30am.

The house at McDonagh Terrace in the village was owned by Stephen Lee. His son John was staying with him on Sunday night as part of his regular schedule of caring for his elderly father.

The family are well-known in Littleton where the community is in shock and mourning the loss.

Councillor Sean Ryan, who knew both men, passed on his sincere condolences to the Lees and said: “The Lee family are a hugely respected family in our village and the passing of Stephen and John has left the village numbed.

“I want to thank the emergency services and all the neighbours in Littleton who did all they could to help.”

Thurles TD Michael Lowry wrote: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, loved ones, friends, neighbours and the people of Littleton and beyond following the tragic passing of Stephen Lee and his son John. This tragedy has cast a veil of sorrow and shock over the tight-knit community and across the country just days before Christmas.

“The family, relatives and friends of the deceased will be in all our thoughts and prayers in the days, weeks and months ahead.

“May their souls rest in eternal peace.”

Neighbours and friends have taken to social media to share their own condolences:

"Rip Stephen a true gent and always remembered as big part of my childhood working with my dad."

"Rest in peace John and Stephen and condolences to Karen and all of the family. Devastating news."

"Devastated, so sad. They were lovely people."

Stephen is predeceased by his wife and John’s mother Mary, who passed away last year, his daughter and John’s sister Sinead and Stephen’s granddaughter and John’s niece Jessica.

They leave behind John’s wife Mary and their two children, Stephen’s son and John’s brother Christopher and his wife Michelle, daughter and sister Karen and her husband Paudie as well as beloved grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

The cause of the fire is still unknown and investigations are underway following a technical examination inside the house by gardaí and the fire service which took place on Monday.