The flame of a candle is believed to have caused the blaze that killed a 90-year-old woman in south Dublin last Sunday.

The fire, which claimed the life of Nancy Commiskey, broke out at her home in Llewellyn Close in Rathfarnham in the early hours of the morning.

Commiskey's daughter sustained serious burns and her son-in-law suffered a broken ankle when he jumped out of the upstairs window.

The fire spread to the attics of three nearby houses before it was brought under control by the Dublin Fire Brigade at around 6am.

An ambulance rushed to the scene but the pensioner was discovered dead in her bedroom. The entire house was gutted and the roof destroyed by the fire.

Her neighbour Brian O'Neill, who is in the process of cleaning the debris out of his own attic, said, "She was an absolute lady. Everyone here is in total shock – it is an awful tragedy. She will be missed."

Commiskey grew up in Kells with best friend Brigit Traynor, who lives a few houses away.

"I woke at 6am to flashing lights and the sound of a lot of screaming. One of the neighbours told me they had just seen a lot of smoke and someone jumping out of the window of a house," Traynor said.

"I had no idea it was Nancy's house. I have known her since I was a child and we grew up together. I'm shocked at what has happened, completely shocked."

Two other neighbours say while the results of the fire brigade's investigation haven't been released, most of the area has come to the conclusion the fire was started by a candle that was left unattended.

"It is a wonder the other houses next to the Commiskey's didn't burn down too. We heard all the shouting and screaming at the time, there was a lot of commotion. It is a very sad time for us and the area still hasn't recovered from the shock. The weather was calm that night with very little breeze, so the damage to the other houses is minimal."

Floral tributes have been laid at the front door of the destroyed house as a mark of respect to the 90-year-old. Her funeral is expected to be held over the next few days Kells.

Local people will today gather in a separate tribute service to Commiskey. "The community wants to pay their best wishes to her here in Rathfarnham as well," said Brian O'Neill.