A PENSIONER has lost his life following a fatal house fire in Ferns which broke out in the early hours of Thursday morning. The house at Lower Main Street went up in flames at around 6 a.m. and emergency services were immediately called to the scene.

A man, in his 80’s lost his life in the blaze, while his wife was rushed to Wexford General Hospital where her condition is described as stable.

The fire was quickly brought under control and the scene was preserved as a Garda forensics team arrived to carry out a full technical examination, although foul play is not suspected.

Traffic was heavy entering Ferns from the Wexford side as traffic, which was already being diverted through the Square as a result of roadworks, faced further diversions when the road into the village was closed by Gardaí.